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87
8/17/2019 The Language of Promise http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-language-of-promise 1/87 I THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE  THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE  WE ARE CALLED TO INHERIT. THE LOVE LANGUAGE OF GOD IS VITAL TO THAT DISCOVERY. GRAHAM COOKE AN INTERACTIVE JOURNAL BOOK BEING WITH GOD SERIES WWW.BRILLIANTBOOKHOUSE.COM

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Page 1: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

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I

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

THE

LANGUAGEOF PROMISE

WE ARE CALLED TO INHERIT

THE LOVE LANGUAGE OF GODIS VITAL TO THAT DISCOVERY

GRAHAM COOKE

AN INTERACTIVE JOURNAL

BOOK 983094

BEING WITH GOD SERIES

WWWBRILLIANTBOOKHOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

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II

GRAHAM COOKE

copy 983090983088983089983093 Graham Cooke Second edition

All rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced stored in a

retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means mdash electronic

mechanical photocopy recording or otherwise mdash without prior written

permission of the copyright owner except by a reviewer who wishes to

quote brief passages in connection with a review for inclusion in a maga-

zine newspaper or broadcast

Unless otherwise indicated all Scripture quotations are taken from Te Holy

Bible New King James Version (Copyright copy 983089983097983095983097 983089983097983096983088 983089983097983096983090 by Tomas

Nelson Inc) and the New American Standard Bible (Copyright copy 983089983097983094983088 983089983097983094983090

983089983097983094983091 983089983097983095983089 983089983097983095983090 983089983097983095983091 983089983097983095983093 983089983097983095983095 983089983097983097983093 by Te Lockman Foundation)

Please note that Brilliant Book House has made the stylistic choice to capi-

talize certain words and pronouns that refer to the Father Son and Holy

Spirit although it may differ from the stylistic choices of other publishers

Book design by Natalie McGuire Designs 983116983116983107

Te Language of Promise 983089st edition copy983090983088983088983091

983106983122983113983116983116983113983105983118983124 983106983119983119983115 983112983119983125983123983109

983120983119 983106983119983128 983096983095983089983092983093983088

Vancouver 983127983105 983097983096983094983096983095

Tis book and all other materials published by Graham Cooke are available

online at BrilliantBookHousecom

If you would like more information on Graham Cooke

and his ministry please visit GrahamCookecom

983113983123983106983118 983097983095983096-983089-983097983091983092983095983095983089-983088983095-983093

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III

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

DEDICATIONI dedicate this journal to all the friends ministry supports

and partners in prayer and finances who have sustained me

and my family through many years of warfare personal attack

pain and challenge

When God gives you a voice others will try to take it awayTanks for being true committed and faithful May you inherit

every blessing that the Father has planned and purposed for

your life

8172019 The Language of Promise

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IV

GRAHAM COOKE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSFamilies are the bedrock of life Tey supply the love belief

laughter determination and focus to enable each member to

grow in confidence and take on seemingly impossible things

Wives sons daughters and grandchildren become the world

that we look through along with our friends

We work persevere build persist and develop with themin mind Teir love acceptance and support acts as a catalyst

for all that we attempt Tey lift us beyond measure into a place

in Christ that contains more than we imagine

Heather Ben Seth Sophie and partners Teresa Alexis

and Alyssa Our wonderful grandchildren All have contributed

to the fullness of my ongoing life experience

Te brilliant friends that I have walked with for severaldecades Te amazing leaders and ministries that have graced

my life Te Radiance Community in Santa Barbara a grand

company with whom to explore life and fullness in Jesus

Finally to the one in the coffee house who started this

journey and the God who sustains it

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V

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

INTRODUCTIONJesus was getting used to operating under the critical eye of

the Sadducees and Pharisees He had encountered them many

times in His ministry and had always used the beauty of Godrsquos

truth to stay one step ahead of them oday would be no differ-

ent Te Pharisees had heard that Jesus had stumped the Sad-

ducees so one of them a lawyer asked Him a loaded questionldquoeacher which is the great commandment in the lawrdquo

Jesusrsquo answer summed up the call on every Christian who

has followed Him in the 983090983088983088983088 years since ldquoTe first of all the

commandments is lsquoHear 983119 Israel the 983116983119983122983108 our God the 983116983119983122983108 is

one And you shall love the 983116983119983122983108 your God with all your heart with

all your soul with all your mind and with all your strengthrsquo Tis

is the first commandment And the second like it is this lsquoYou shalllove your neighbor as yourselfrsquo Tere is no other commandment

greater than theserdquo Jesus replied in Mark 983089983090 983090983097-983091983089 Christianity

can be boiled down into those two statements our role in life

is to love God and to love everyone we come into contact with

Jesus has not asked us to do something He has not already

done Himself God always obeys His own wordmdashHe cannot go

against His own decrees He does not ask us to do something Hewould not do Himself We can therefore look at the first com-

mandment and know that He loves us with all of His heart all

of His soul all of His mind and all of His strength

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VI

GRAHAM COOKE

Never doubt that you are absolutely and completely loved

by God You are His beloved Your role in life is to receive thatlove return it to Him and pass it along to everyone around you

Itrsquos a tough job I know but someonersquos got to do it Love Him

with everything in youmdashit all belongs to Him anyway And

love anyone you come into contact with anyone within touch-

ing distance It doesnrsquot matter what yoursquore doing where yoursquore

going or who yoursquore meetingmdashyou are called to love others It

is irrelevant whether they are Christian or pre-Christian theyare your neighbors and you are called to touch them with the

love of God

God has taken the lead in this He has come to each and

every one of us and poured His love into our spirits I love you

with all of My heart all of My soul all of My mind and all of My

strength Everything in Me is dedicated to loving you Irsquove poured

this love into you and yoursquore going to have the pleasure of giving itback to Me

Tis is our greatest blessing we are loved passionately by

God

Graham Cooke

8172019 The Language of Promise

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VII

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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VIII

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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IX

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

THE

LANGUAGEOF PROMISE

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1

GRAHAM COOKE

IN YOUR BEGINNING

Love is a topic that has been explored pondered consid-

ered and written about for as long as humans have been around

It has been looked at from almost every angle and is an expe-

riential common ground for humanity everyone understands

the feeling of love Many however have a distorted view ofthe power of love Tey have tried to capture it without seek-

ing out its origin God

Te Apostle John understood well where love originated

ldquoWe love because He first loved usrdquo he wrote in 983089 John 983092983089983097 Before

we were saved most of us were going through life completely

oblivious to who God really is One day suddenly and miracu-

lously God invaded our world taking the initiative and reach-ing out to us in love We responded by returning that love to

Him and found ourselves walking in salvation

Te way that we begin life in God is the same way that life

continues with Him God took the initial step He loved us first

He came looking for us spoke to us sent those weird people

to share the gospel with us We looked at those strange people

that were sent into our lives and thought ldquoWow they seem abit out of step with the real worldrdquo But there was something

that drew us God Himself

Our relationship with God is sustained by the same force

of love by which it was birthed God doesnrsquot stop taking the ini-

tiative the moment we are saved He is continually our Lover

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2

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

and we are continually His

beloved Our job is to beloved by God only God can

love God He comes into

our lives and fills them with

hope faith and love Tat

pure love does something inside of us which we give back to

Him

GODrsquoS LANGUAGE IS LOVE

God adores us because He wants our adoration God loves

us because He wants our love God speaks to us by His love

Tis is the language we need to hear from the Lord so that we

can speak it back to Him Itrsquos a glorious cyclemdashGod takes the

initiative by loving us and we return that love to Him God can

say nothing without using this language of love

What is true in the natural is also true by the Spirit Isaiah

described this beautifully in 983093983093983097-983089983089 (983118983105983123983106)

For as the heavens are higher than the earthSo are My ways higher than your ways

And My thoughts than your thoughts

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven And

do not return there without watering the earth

ldquoLIFE IS TO BE FORTIFIED BY

MANY FRIENDSHIPS TO LOVE AND

TO BE LOVED IS THE GREATEST

HAPPINESS OF EXISTENCErdquo

SYDNEY SMITH

8172019 The Language of Promise

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3

GRAHAM COOKE

And making it bear and sprout

And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth

It will not return to Me empty

Without accomplishing what I desire

And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it

Godrsquos promise is as inevitable as rain falling His words

water our lives making us fruitful and productive We returnthis blessing through our words of praise and thanksgiving our

testimony and witness to His Nature and also by our actions

that may bring glory to the Lord

James put it a different way but it is still the same theme

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above

coming down from the Father of lights with whom there

is no variation or shifting shadow In the exercise of Hiswill He brought us forth by the word of truth so that

we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures

(James 983089983089983095-983089983096 983118983105983123983106)

Everything that is good and right comes from a Father who

never changes It is His consistency and faithfulness that is the

bedrock of our ability to receive It simply does not depend uponus He is the origin the cause the motive and the source of

every gift It will always be this way He is the Beginning and the

Ending for all of us for all time His passion is to make each of

us a joyful carrier of His word through His promises so that we

may enjoy the certainty of our receiving His gifts and goodness

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4

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tink of it we are the first fruits of His huge desire to have

a people represent His Excellence Our role in the Earth is toproclaim the fact of Godrsquos outstanding goodness by living the

life of promise that He has set aside for us All Godrsquos promises

are yes And amen in Christ Jesus Paul put it this way in his

letter to the church in Rome

hellipwho has first given to Him that it might be paid back to

Him again For from Him and through Him and to Him

are all things o Him be the glory forever Amen(Romans 983089983089983091983093-983091983094 983118983105983123983106)

It is not possible for us to initiate anything with God Paul

asks who has ever given to God first God initiates we respond

by receiving and then we give back to God the very thing He

gave us in the first place From through and to Him are all

things Everything He wants from us He gives to usTis is amazing wonderful outrageous and mind-bog-

gling stuff Tis means that when the Holy Spirit convicts me

of something He is also relaying the Fatherrsquos willingness to

supply what I lack Terefore

CONVICTION REGARDING OUR INABILITY TO PRAY ALSO

RELEASED THE PROMISE THAT HE WILL HELP US

STRUGGLING WITH UNCLEAN THOUGHTS CONVICTION ALSOBRINGS WITH IT THE PROMISE OF PURITY

PROBLEMS WITH DOUBT983084 UNBELIEF WITH CONVICTION THE

LORD SEEKS TO INITIATE FAITH

Get the message Te promise releases the gift Conviction

seeks to re-establish the divine order Te Holy Spirit points

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5

GRAHAM COOKE

out our need and the provision at the same time Conviction

restores us to being open to the goodness of God From Himthrough Him and to Him are all thingshellipmarvelous

Each of us must see ourselves in that cycle in the man-

ner that the Father has declared o live as part of His cycle of

life we must understand that all of His language to us is full

of promise to us He delights to speak to us and is blessed by

our expectancy

Te tragedy of modern Christianity is that much of it isperformance-oriented We think we have to do something to

get something from God ldquoGod canrsquot possibly like me because

Irsquom not doing anythingrdquo

we say ldquoGod canrsquot love me

I donrsquot pray enough I donrsquot

give enough I donrsquot wor-

ship enough I donrsquot readenoughrdquo But how much

is actually enough We

shouldnrsquot be constantly quantifying ldquoenoughrdquo but we should

be serving God because He loves us Present-day Christians are

quick to fall into the same trap Martha did in Luke 983089983088 think-

ing that we have to prove ourselves worthy of a relationship

with Jesus Being Mary and basking in Jesusrsquo love is a severechallenge for us

Te language of love is something we must all learn We

have to understand how God sees us so that we can see Him

more clearly God loves us and because He loves us we want

to talk to Him Everything we can give to God comes from

ldquoLOVE IS BUT T HE DISCOVERY OF

OURSELVES IN OTHERS983084 AND THE

DELIGHT IN THE RECOGNITIONrdquo

ALEXANDER SMITH

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6

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Him in the first place It begins and ends with God because

intimacy is a cycleIn the natural world we see many examples of this type

of cycle Water falls from the sky and returns to the heavens

by the process of evaporation Te moon does not generate its

own light but reflects the light of the sun in the night sky Te

image in a mirror is nothing more than a reflection of the actual

object Likewise our love for God is a reflection of His love for

us Love begins and ends with GodWe cannot love God on our own initiative but we can give

back that which He has bestowed on us When the Father of

Lights gives us a gift that touches our heart it does something

inside of us We end up returning to God the very thing He has

given us o love God we must be loved by God Itrsquos a wonder-

ful thing to go through our entire lives being loved by God We

are condemned to be loved by Him forever We canrsquot escape itWe have no alternative but to put up with it this is who God is

Parents know an example of this principle when our chil-

dren were growing up and our birthday was approaching most

of us gave them money to buy us a present How do we know

how to do this It is in our 983108983118983105 God is the same way His love

is the currency He gives us so that we can love Him more fully

He gives to us the very thing He wants from us

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7

GRAHAM COOKE

POSSESSED BY GOD

God chose us so that He could be Himself with us He wants

us to see Him as He really is and to fall in love with Him the

same way He has fallen in love with us In our relationship we

must come to a place of mutual declaration as He and the Isra-

elites did in Deuteronomy 983090983094983089983094-983089983097 (983118983113983126)Te 983116983119983122983108 your God commands you this day to fol-

low these decrees and laws carefully observe them

with all your heart and with all your soul

You have declared this day that the 983116983119983122983108 is your God

and that you will walk in his ways that you will keep his

decrees commands and laws and that you will obey him And the 983116983119983122983108 has declared this day that you are his

people his treasured possession as he promised and

that you are to keep all his commands He has declared

that he will set you in praise fame and honor high

above all the nations he has made and that you will be

a people holy to the 983116983119983122983108 your God as he promised

God declares to the Israelites His laws and they in return

declared that they would follow them It was a breakthrough

moment for Israel Just outside of the Promised Land with

their leader Moses winding down his life they finally came to

a point of mutual declaration with God Tis passage actually

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8

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

fulfilled a prophetic conversation Moses and God had shared

forty years earlier in Exodus 983089983097983091-983094 And Moses went up to God and the 983116983119983122983108 called to him from

the mountain saying ldquoTus you shall say to the house of

Jacob and tell the children of Israel lsquoYou have seen what I

did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eaglesrsquo wings

and brought you to Myself Now therefore if you will indeed

obey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be a

special treasure to Me above all people for all the earth is Mine And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a

holy nationrsquo Tese are the words which you shall speak to

the children of Israelrdquo

Moses and Israel had been out of Egypt for just three

months when God spoke these words Te words ldquospecial trea-

surerdquo can also be interpreted as ldquopossessionrdquo ldquoIf you will indeedobey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be My

possessionrdquo God was saying ldquoTe whole earth is Mine but you

will be My special treasurerdquo Tose simple words began a pro-

phetic theme from the heart of God which has echoed through

countless generations

Tis original prophetic blessing was updated and expanded

in Deuteronomy 983095983094-983097For you are a holy people to the 983116983119983122983108 your God the 983116983119983122983108

your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself a spe-

cial treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth

Te 983116983119983122983108 did not set His love on you nor choose you because

you were more in number than any other people for you

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9

GRAHAM COOKE

were the least of all peoples but because the 983116983119983122983108 loves

you and because He would keep the oath which He sworeto your fathers the 983116983119983122983108

has brought you out

with a mighty hand and

redeemed you from the

house of bondage from

the hand of Pharaoh king

of Egypt Terefore knowthat the 983116983119983122983108 your God

He is God the faithful

God who keeps covenant

and mercy for a thou-

sand generations with those who love Him and keep His

commandments

We have been chosen as Godrsquos special treasure not because

of who we are but because of who God is His love cuts away all

of our performance-oriented mentality God chose you because

of who He is He chose you because of what He is like You

werenrsquot chosen because you are deserving or clever or brilliant

or handsome or noble or even good He chose you because He

is good Out of His love and His promises you were selectedas His treasure Godrsquos faithfulness has been the bedrock of His

dealings with humanity throughout time God cannot changemdash

He cannot be anything other than who He is

ldquoEVERYBODY CAN BE GREAThellip

BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN SERVE

YOU DONrsquoT HAVE TO HAVE A

COLLEG E DEG REE TO SERV E

Y O U D O N rsquo T H A V E T O M A K E

YOUR SUBJECT AND VERB AGREE

TO SERVE YOU ONLY NEED A

HEART FULL OF GRACE983084 A SOUL

GENERATED BY LOVErdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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11

GRAHAM COOKE

Learning to cohabit with God takes time Te pressure of

ministry is intense it can stress us out make us sick even killus unless we know how to rest in the Lord It takes discipline

to bring ourselves to a place of peace before God but it is abso-

lutely necessary to do so It has taken years of practice for me

but on most days I can bring myself to that place of peace

in five or ten seconds It no longer matters what is swirling

around me or threatening me I can still myself before God I

have to I need to be quiet to hear His voice God loves to speakin whispers He rarely answers prayers at the same decibel level

at which they are prayed

ldquoFatherrdquo we can shout at Him ldquoI need to hear Your voicerdquo

ldquoI knowrdquo He whispers back

ldquoSpeak to merdquo we bellow at the top of our lungs

ldquoI amrdquo He whispers

ldquoI need to hear Your voice todayrdquo we blareldquoShut up and listenrdquo He whispers

ldquoBe still and know that I am Godrdquo says Psalm 983092983094983089983088 Medi-

tation is another avenue towards cohabitation with God Te

western church must learn to meditate setting time aside to

think deeply about God It doesnrsquot have to be long just fifteen

minutes or half-an-hour but the more you do it the more time

yoursquoll want to give to Him I love meditatingMeditation and stillness flow into an upgrade of our peace

I spend a lot of time on peace with the people I disciple I con-

stantly confront them on the issue of peace in their lives I

donrsquot expect them to worry or panic at the same level next year

as they did this year Teir peace must increase and anxiety

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12

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

decrease Peace is a vital fruit

of the SpiritWithout an upgrade in our

capacity to rest in the Lord

we find ourselves running on

adrenaline Tatrsquos okay for a

while but for every adrenaline

high therersquos an adrenaline low Often people get down and

depressed because they have been running on adrenaline andtheyrsquove run out Itrsquos not the pressure of life that gets to us itrsquos

the pressure of how we run it

Peace though is an equalizing pressure If the world is

throwing a thousand pounds of pressure at you from the out-

side peace sends a thousand and one pounds from the inside

Irsquom under pressure wherever I gomdashintense pressure in most

places Everyone wants to see me and talk to me and pull at meand get prayer from me I donrsquot mind itrsquos my job o survive

I have learned to be at peace My rest in God gives me space

Eventually adrenaline will rob our mind and body and will

leave us exhausted Itrsquos okay to be tired in the work but itrsquos not

okay to be tired of the work We must learn to give ourselves

to peace rest and meditation We can operate at the highest

level for many years if we have developed ourselves internallyin preparation

IF THE WORLD IS THROWING

A THOUSA ND P OUNDS OF

PRESSURE AT YOU FROM THE

OUTSIDE983084 P EA CE SENDS A

THOUSAND AND ONE POUNDS

FROM THE INSIDE

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13

GRAHAM COOKE

SONSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

We live our lives in the tension of a paradox between being

and doing Te key to succeeding in this quandary is to always

choose being over doing We must choose to take time out to

rest We all have to do many things but being is just as impor-

tant Tis paradox could be described as the difference betweensonship and stewardship We must learn how to serve the Lord

but we must also explore how to be a son of God God doesnrsquot

want to treat you like a slavemdashHe wants to treat you like a son

One of my mentors Arthur once asked me ldquoGraham do

you want to be a servant of the Lordrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo I answered

ldquoTen donrsquot get upset if He treats you like onerdquo Arthur saidSometimes God commands and I obey Other times He

makes a request of me because He wants to treat me like His

son Christians need to know how to live life as both a servant

and a son Being a son means God gets the best of our day not

just the tail end Te Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a

man who knew how to be both a servant and a son as we read

in Ephesians 983089983089983093-983090983091Terefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ the Father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

8172019 The Language of Promise

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 2: The Language of Promise

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II

GRAHAM COOKE

copy 983090983088983089983093 Graham Cooke Second edition

All rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced stored in a

retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means mdash electronic

mechanical photocopy recording or otherwise mdash without prior written

permission of the copyright owner except by a reviewer who wishes to

quote brief passages in connection with a review for inclusion in a maga-

zine newspaper or broadcast

Unless otherwise indicated all Scripture quotations are taken from Te Holy

Bible New King James Version (Copyright copy 983089983097983095983097 983089983097983096983088 983089983097983096983090 by Tomas

Nelson Inc) and the New American Standard Bible (Copyright copy 983089983097983094983088 983089983097983094983090

983089983097983094983091 983089983097983095983089 983089983097983095983090 983089983097983095983091 983089983097983095983093 983089983097983095983095 983089983097983097983093 by Te Lockman Foundation)

Please note that Brilliant Book House has made the stylistic choice to capi-

talize certain words and pronouns that refer to the Father Son and Holy

Spirit although it may differ from the stylistic choices of other publishers

Book design by Natalie McGuire Designs 983116983116983107

Te Language of Promise 983089st edition copy983090983088983088983091

983106983122983113983116983116983113983105983118983124 983106983119983119983115 983112983119983125983123983109

983120983119 983106983119983128 983096983095983089983092983093983088

Vancouver 983127983105 983097983096983094983096983095

Tis book and all other materials published by Graham Cooke are available

online at BrilliantBookHousecom

If you would like more information on Graham Cooke

and his ministry please visit GrahamCookecom

983113983123983106983118 983097983095983096-983089-983097983091983092983095983095983089-983088983095-983093

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III

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

DEDICATIONI dedicate this journal to all the friends ministry supports

and partners in prayer and finances who have sustained me

and my family through many years of warfare personal attack

pain and challenge

When God gives you a voice others will try to take it awayTanks for being true committed and faithful May you inherit

every blessing that the Father has planned and purposed for

your life

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IV

GRAHAM COOKE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSFamilies are the bedrock of life Tey supply the love belief

laughter determination and focus to enable each member to

grow in confidence and take on seemingly impossible things

Wives sons daughters and grandchildren become the world

that we look through along with our friends

We work persevere build persist and develop with themin mind Teir love acceptance and support acts as a catalyst

for all that we attempt Tey lift us beyond measure into a place

in Christ that contains more than we imagine

Heather Ben Seth Sophie and partners Teresa Alexis

and Alyssa Our wonderful grandchildren All have contributed

to the fullness of my ongoing life experience

Te brilliant friends that I have walked with for severaldecades Te amazing leaders and ministries that have graced

my life Te Radiance Community in Santa Barbara a grand

company with whom to explore life and fullness in Jesus

Finally to the one in the coffee house who started this

journey and the God who sustains it

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V

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

INTRODUCTIONJesus was getting used to operating under the critical eye of

the Sadducees and Pharisees He had encountered them many

times in His ministry and had always used the beauty of Godrsquos

truth to stay one step ahead of them oday would be no differ-

ent Te Pharisees had heard that Jesus had stumped the Sad-

ducees so one of them a lawyer asked Him a loaded questionldquoeacher which is the great commandment in the lawrdquo

Jesusrsquo answer summed up the call on every Christian who

has followed Him in the 983090983088983088983088 years since ldquoTe first of all the

commandments is lsquoHear 983119 Israel the 983116983119983122983108 our God the 983116983119983122983108 is

one And you shall love the 983116983119983122983108 your God with all your heart with

all your soul with all your mind and with all your strengthrsquo Tis

is the first commandment And the second like it is this lsquoYou shalllove your neighbor as yourselfrsquo Tere is no other commandment

greater than theserdquo Jesus replied in Mark 983089983090 983090983097-983091983089 Christianity

can be boiled down into those two statements our role in life

is to love God and to love everyone we come into contact with

Jesus has not asked us to do something He has not already

done Himself God always obeys His own wordmdashHe cannot go

against His own decrees He does not ask us to do something Hewould not do Himself We can therefore look at the first com-

mandment and know that He loves us with all of His heart all

of His soul all of His mind and all of His strength

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VI

GRAHAM COOKE

Never doubt that you are absolutely and completely loved

by God You are His beloved Your role in life is to receive thatlove return it to Him and pass it along to everyone around you

Itrsquos a tough job I know but someonersquos got to do it Love Him

with everything in youmdashit all belongs to Him anyway And

love anyone you come into contact with anyone within touch-

ing distance It doesnrsquot matter what yoursquore doing where yoursquore

going or who yoursquore meetingmdashyou are called to love others It

is irrelevant whether they are Christian or pre-Christian theyare your neighbors and you are called to touch them with the

love of God

God has taken the lead in this He has come to each and

every one of us and poured His love into our spirits I love you

with all of My heart all of My soul all of My mind and all of My

strength Everything in Me is dedicated to loving you Irsquove poured

this love into you and yoursquore going to have the pleasure of giving itback to Me

Tis is our greatest blessing we are loved passionately by

God

Graham Cooke

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VII

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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VIII

GRAHAM COOKE

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IX

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

THE

LANGUAGEOF PROMISE

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1

GRAHAM COOKE

IN YOUR BEGINNING

Love is a topic that has been explored pondered consid-

ered and written about for as long as humans have been around

It has been looked at from almost every angle and is an expe-

riential common ground for humanity everyone understands

the feeling of love Many however have a distorted view ofthe power of love Tey have tried to capture it without seek-

ing out its origin God

Te Apostle John understood well where love originated

ldquoWe love because He first loved usrdquo he wrote in 983089 John 983092983089983097 Before

we were saved most of us were going through life completely

oblivious to who God really is One day suddenly and miracu-

lously God invaded our world taking the initiative and reach-ing out to us in love We responded by returning that love to

Him and found ourselves walking in salvation

Te way that we begin life in God is the same way that life

continues with Him God took the initial step He loved us first

He came looking for us spoke to us sent those weird people

to share the gospel with us We looked at those strange people

that were sent into our lives and thought ldquoWow they seem abit out of step with the real worldrdquo But there was something

that drew us God Himself

Our relationship with God is sustained by the same force

of love by which it was birthed God doesnrsquot stop taking the ini-

tiative the moment we are saved He is continually our Lover

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2

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

and we are continually His

beloved Our job is to beloved by God only God can

love God He comes into

our lives and fills them with

hope faith and love Tat

pure love does something inside of us which we give back to

Him

GODrsquoS LANGUAGE IS LOVE

God adores us because He wants our adoration God loves

us because He wants our love God speaks to us by His love

Tis is the language we need to hear from the Lord so that we

can speak it back to Him Itrsquos a glorious cyclemdashGod takes the

initiative by loving us and we return that love to Him God can

say nothing without using this language of love

What is true in the natural is also true by the Spirit Isaiah

described this beautifully in 983093983093983097-983089983089 (983118983105983123983106)

For as the heavens are higher than the earthSo are My ways higher than your ways

And My thoughts than your thoughts

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven And

do not return there without watering the earth

ldquoLIFE IS TO BE FORTIFIED BY

MANY FRIENDSHIPS TO LOVE AND

TO BE LOVED IS THE GREATEST

HAPPINESS OF EXISTENCErdquo

SYDNEY SMITH

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3

GRAHAM COOKE

And making it bear and sprout

And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth

It will not return to Me empty

Without accomplishing what I desire

And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it

Godrsquos promise is as inevitable as rain falling His words

water our lives making us fruitful and productive We returnthis blessing through our words of praise and thanksgiving our

testimony and witness to His Nature and also by our actions

that may bring glory to the Lord

James put it a different way but it is still the same theme

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above

coming down from the Father of lights with whom there

is no variation or shifting shadow In the exercise of Hiswill He brought us forth by the word of truth so that

we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures

(James 983089983089983095-983089983096 983118983105983123983106)

Everything that is good and right comes from a Father who

never changes It is His consistency and faithfulness that is the

bedrock of our ability to receive It simply does not depend uponus He is the origin the cause the motive and the source of

every gift It will always be this way He is the Beginning and the

Ending for all of us for all time His passion is to make each of

us a joyful carrier of His word through His promises so that we

may enjoy the certainty of our receiving His gifts and goodness

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4

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tink of it we are the first fruits of His huge desire to have

a people represent His Excellence Our role in the Earth is toproclaim the fact of Godrsquos outstanding goodness by living the

life of promise that He has set aside for us All Godrsquos promises

are yes And amen in Christ Jesus Paul put it this way in his

letter to the church in Rome

hellipwho has first given to Him that it might be paid back to

Him again For from Him and through Him and to Him

are all things o Him be the glory forever Amen(Romans 983089983089983091983093-983091983094 983118983105983123983106)

It is not possible for us to initiate anything with God Paul

asks who has ever given to God first God initiates we respond

by receiving and then we give back to God the very thing He

gave us in the first place From through and to Him are all

things Everything He wants from us He gives to usTis is amazing wonderful outrageous and mind-bog-

gling stuff Tis means that when the Holy Spirit convicts me

of something He is also relaying the Fatherrsquos willingness to

supply what I lack Terefore

CONVICTION REGARDING OUR INABILITY TO PRAY ALSO

RELEASED THE PROMISE THAT HE WILL HELP US

STRUGGLING WITH UNCLEAN THOUGHTS CONVICTION ALSOBRINGS WITH IT THE PROMISE OF PURITY

PROBLEMS WITH DOUBT983084 UNBELIEF WITH CONVICTION THE

LORD SEEKS TO INITIATE FAITH

Get the message Te promise releases the gift Conviction

seeks to re-establish the divine order Te Holy Spirit points

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5

GRAHAM COOKE

out our need and the provision at the same time Conviction

restores us to being open to the goodness of God From Himthrough Him and to Him are all thingshellipmarvelous

Each of us must see ourselves in that cycle in the man-

ner that the Father has declared o live as part of His cycle of

life we must understand that all of His language to us is full

of promise to us He delights to speak to us and is blessed by

our expectancy

Te tragedy of modern Christianity is that much of it isperformance-oriented We think we have to do something to

get something from God ldquoGod canrsquot possibly like me because

Irsquom not doing anythingrdquo

we say ldquoGod canrsquot love me

I donrsquot pray enough I donrsquot

give enough I donrsquot wor-

ship enough I donrsquot readenoughrdquo But how much

is actually enough We

shouldnrsquot be constantly quantifying ldquoenoughrdquo but we should

be serving God because He loves us Present-day Christians are

quick to fall into the same trap Martha did in Luke 983089983088 think-

ing that we have to prove ourselves worthy of a relationship

with Jesus Being Mary and basking in Jesusrsquo love is a severechallenge for us

Te language of love is something we must all learn We

have to understand how God sees us so that we can see Him

more clearly God loves us and because He loves us we want

to talk to Him Everything we can give to God comes from

ldquoLOVE IS BUT T HE DISCOVERY OF

OURSELVES IN OTHERS983084 AND THE

DELIGHT IN THE RECOGNITIONrdquo

ALEXANDER SMITH

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6

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Him in the first place It begins and ends with God because

intimacy is a cycleIn the natural world we see many examples of this type

of cycle Water falls from the sky and returns to the heavens

by the process of evaporation Te moon does not generate its

own light but reflects the light of the sun in the night sky Te

image in a mirror is nothing more than a reflection of the actual

object Likewise our love for God is a reflection of His love for

us Love begins and ends with GodWe cannot love God on our own initiative but we can give

back that which He has bestowed on us When the Father of

Lights gives us a gift that touches our heart it does something

inside of us We end up returning to God the very thing He has

given us o love God we must be loved by God Itrsquos a wonder-

ful thing to go through our entire lives being loved by God We

are condemned to be loved by Him forever We canrsquot escape itWe have no alternative but to put up with it this is who God is

Parents know an example of this principle when our chil-

dren were growing up and our birthday was approaching most

of us gave them money to buy us a present How do we know

how to do this It is in our 983108983118983105 God is the same way His love

is the currency He gives us so that we can love Him more fully

He gives to us the very thing He wants from us

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7

GRAHAM COOKE

POSSESSED BY GOD

God chose us so that He could be Himself with us He wants

us to see Him as He really is and to fall in love with Him the

same way He has fallen in love with us In our relationship we

must come to a place of mutual declaration as He and the Isra-

elites did in Deuteronomy 983090983094983089983094-983089983097 (983118983113983126)Te 983116983119983122983108 your God commands you this day to fol-

low these decrees and laws carefully observe them

with all your heart and with all your soul

You have declared this day that the 983116983119983122983108 is your God

and that you will walk in his ways that you will keep his

decrees commands and laws and that you will obey him And the 983116983119983122983108 has declared this day that you are his

people his treasured possession as he promised and

that you are to keep all his commands He has declared

that he will set you in praise fame and honor high

above all the nations he has made and that you will be

a people holy to the 983116983119983122983108 your God as he promised

God declares to the Israelites His laws and they in return

declared that they would follow them It was a breakthrough

moment for Israel Just outside of the Promised Land with

their leader Moses winding down his life they finally came to

a point of mutual declaration with God Tis passage actually

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8

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

fulfilled a prophetic conversation Moses and God had shared

forty years earlier in Exodus 983089983097983091-983094 And Moses went up to God and the 983116983119983122983108 called to him from

the mountain saying ldquoTus you shall say to the house of

Jacob and tell the children of Israel lsquoYou have seen what I

did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eaglesrsquo wings

and brought you to Myself Now therefore if you will indeed

obey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be a

special treasure to Me above all people for all the earth is Mine And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a

holy nationrsquo Tese are the words which you shall speak to

the children of Israelrdquo

Moses and Israel had been out of Egypt for just three

months when God spoke these words Te words ldquospecial trea-

surerdquo can also be interpreted as ldquopossessionrdquo ldquoIf you will indeedobey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be My

possessionrdquo God was saying ldquoTe whole earth is Mine but you

will be My special treasurerdquo Tose simple words began a pro-

phetic theme from the heart of God which has echoed through

countless generations

Tis original prophetic blessing was updated and expanded

in Deuteronomy 983095983094-983097For you are a holy people to the 983116983119983122983108 your God the 983116983119983122983108

your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself a spe-

cial treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth

Te 983116983119983122983108 did not set His love on you nor choose you because

you were more in number than any other people for you

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9

GRAHAM COOKE

were the least of all peoples but because the 983116983119983122983108 loves

you and because He would keep the oath which He sworeto your fathers the 983116983119983122983108

has brought you out

with a mighty hand and

redeemed you from the

house of bondage from

the hand of Pharaoh king

of Egypt Terefore knowthat the 983116983119983122983108 your God

He is God the faithful

God who keeps covenant

and mercy for a thou-

sand generations with those who love Him and keep His

commandments

We have been chosen as Godrsquos special treasure not because

of who we are but because of who God is His love cuts away all

of our performance-oriented mentality God chose you because

of who He is He chose you because of what He is like You

werenrsquot chosen because you are deserving or clever or brilliant

or handsome or noble or even good He chose you because He

is good Out of His love and His promises you were selectedas His treasure Godrsquos faithfulness has been the bedrock of His

dealings with humanity throughout time God cannot changemdash

He cannot be anything other than who He is

ldquoEVERYBODY CAN BE GREAThellip

BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN SERVE

YOU DONrsquoT HAVE TO HAVE A

COLLEG E DEG REE TO SERV E

Y O U D O N rsquo T H A V E T O M A K E

YOUR SUBJECT AND VERB AGREE

TO SERVE YOU ONLY NEED A

HEART FULL OF GRACE983084 A SOUL

GENERATED BY LOVErdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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11

GRAHAM COOKE

Learning to cohabit with God takes time Te pressure of

ministry is intense it can stress us out make us sick even killus unless we know how to rest in the Lord It takes discipline

to bring ourselves to a place of peace before God but it is abso-

lutely necessary to do so It has taken years of practice for me

but on most days I can bring myself to that place of peace

in five or ten seconds It no longer matters what is swirling

around me or threatening me I can still myself before God I

have to I need to be quiet to hear His voice God loves to speakin whispers He rarely answers prayers at the same decibel level

at which they are prayed

ldquoFatherrdquo we can shout at Him ldquoI need to hear Your voicerdquo

ldquoI knowrdquo He whispers back

ldquoSpeak to merdquo we bellow at the top of our lungs

ldquoI amrdquo He whispers

ldquoI need to hear Your voice todayrdquo we blareldquoShut up and listenrdquo He whispers

ldquoBe still and know that I am Godrdquo says Psalm 983092983094983089983088 Medi-

tation is another avenue towards cohabitation with God Te

western church must learn to meditate setting time aside to

think deeply about God It doesnrsquot have to be long just fifteen

minutes or half-an-hour but the more you do it the more time

yoursquoll want to give to Him I love meditatingMeditation and stillness flow into an upgrade of our peace

I spend a lot of time on peace with the people I disciple I con-

stantly confront them on the issue of peace in their lives I

donrsquot expect them to worry or panic at the same level next year

as they did this year Teir peace must increase and anxiety

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12

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

decrease Peace is a vital fruit

of the SpiritWithout an upgrade in our

capacity to rest in the Lord

we find ourselves running on

adrenaline Tatrsquos okay for a

while but for every adrenaline

high therersquos an adrenaline low Often people get down and

depressed because they have been running on adrenaline andtheyrsquove run out Itrsquos not the pressure of life that gets to us itrsquos

the pressure of how we run it

Peace though is an equalizing pressure If the world is

throwing a thousand pounds of pressure at you from the out-

side peace sends a thousand and one pounds from the inside

Irsquom under pressure wherever I gomdashintense pressure in most

places Everyone wants to see me and talk to me and pull at meand get prayer from me I donrsquot mind itrsquos my job o survive

I have learned to be at peace My rest in God gives me space

Eventually adrenaline will rob our mind and body and will

leave us exhausted Itrsquos okay to be tired in the work but itrsquos not

okay to be tired of the work We must learn to give ourselves

to peace rest and meditation We can operate at the highest

level for many years if we have developed ourselves internallyin preparation

IF THE WORLD IS THROWING

A THOUSA ND P OUNDS OF

PRESSURE AT YOU FROM THE

OUTSIDE983084 P EA CE SENDS A

THOUSAND AND ONE POUNDS

FROM THE INSIDE

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13

GRAHAM COOKE

SONSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

We live our lives in the tension of a paradox between being

and doing Te key to succeeding in this quandary is to always

choose being over doing We must choose to take time out to

rest We all have to do many things but being is just as impor-

tant Tis paradox could be described as the difference betweensonship and stewardship We must learn how to serve the Lord

but we must also explore how to be a son of God God doesnrsquot

want to treat you like a slavemdashHe wants to treat you like a son

One of my mentors Arthur once asked me ldquoGraham do

you want to be a servant of the Lordrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo I answered

ldquoTen donrsquot get upset if He treats you like onerdquo Arthur saidSometimes God commands and I obey Other times He

makes a request of me because He wants to treat me like His

son Christians need to know how to live life as both a servant

and a son Being a son means God gets the best of our day not

just the tail end Te Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a

man who knew how to be both a servant and a son as we read

in Ephesians 983089983089983093-983090983091Terefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ the Father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 3: The Language of Promise

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III

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

DEDICATIONI dedicate this journal to all the friends ministry supports

and partners in prayer and finances who have sustained me

and my family through many years of warfare personal attack

pain and challenge

When God gives you a voice others will try to take it awayTanks for being true committed and faithful May you inherit

every blessing that the Father has planned and purposed for

your life

8172019 The Language of Promise

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IV

GRAHAM COOKE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSFamilies are the bedrock of life Tey supply the love belief

laughter determination and focus to enable each member to

grow in confidence and take on seemingly impossible things

Wives sons daughters and grandchildren become the world

that we look through along with our friends

We work persevere build persist and develop with themin mind Teir love acceptance and support acts as a catalyst

for all that we attempt Tey lift us beyond measure into a place

in Christ that contains more than we imagine

Heather Ben Seth Sophie and partners Teresa Alexis

and Alyssa Our wonderful grandchildren All have contributed

to the fullness of my ongoing life experience

Te brilliant friends that I have walked with for severaldecades Te amazing leaders and ministries that have graced

my life Te Radiance Community in Santa Barbara a grand

company with whom to explore life and fullness in Jesus

Finally to the one in the coffee house who started this

journey and the God who sustains it

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V

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

INTRODUCTIONJesus was getting used to operating under the critical eye of

the Sadducees and Pharisees He had encountered them many

times in His ministry and had always used the beauty of Godrsquos

truth to stay one step ahead of them oday would be no differ-

ent Te Pharisees had heard that Jesus had stumped the Sad-

ducees so one of them a lawyer asked Him a loaded questionldquoeacher which is the great commandment in the lawrdquo

Jesusrsquo answer summed up the call on every Christian who

has followed Him in the 983090983088983088983088 years since ldquoTe first of all the

commandments is lsquoHear 983119 Israel the 983116983119983122983108 our God the 983116983119983122983108 is

one And you shall love the 983116983119983122983108 your God with all your heart with

all your soul with all your mind and with all your strengthrsquo Tis

is the first commandment And the second like it is this lsquoYou shalllove your neighbor as yourselfrsquo Tere is no other commandment

greater than theserdquo Jesus replied in Mark 983089983090 983090983097-983091983089 Christianity

can be boiled down into those two statements our role in life

is to love God and to love everyone we come into contact with

Jesus has not asked us to do something He has not already

done Himself God always obeys His own wordmdashHe cannot go

against His own decrees He does not ask us to do something Hewould not do Himself We can therefore look at the first com-

mandment and know that He loves us with all of His heart all

of His soul all of His mind and all of His strength

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VI

GRAHAM COOKE

Never doubt that you are absolutely and completely loved

by God You are His beloved Your role in life is to receive thatlove return it to Him and pass it along to everyone around you

Itrsquos a tough job I know but someonersquos got to do it Love Him

with everything in youmdashit all belongs to Him anyway And

love anyone you come into contact with anyone within touch-

ing distance It doesnrsquot matter what yoursquore doing where yoursquore

going or who yoursquore meetingmdashyou are called to love others It

is irrelevant whether they are Christian or pre-Christian theyare your neighbors and you are called to touch them with the

love of God

God has taken the lead in this He has come to each and

every one of us and poured His love into our spirits I love you

with all of My heart all of My soul all of My mind and all of My

strength Everything in Me is dedicated to loving you Irsquove poured

this love into you and yoursquore going to have the pleasure of giving itback to Me

Tis is our greatest blessing we are loved passionately by

God

Graham Cooke

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VII

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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VIII

GRAHAM COOKE

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IX

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

THE

LANGUAGEOF PROMISE

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1

GRAHAM COOKE

IN YOUR BEGINNING

Love is a topic that has been explored pondered consid-

ered and written about for as long as humans have been around

It has been looked at from almost every angle and is an expe-

riential common ground for humanity everyone understands

the feeling of love Many however have a distorted view ofthe power of love Tey have tried to capture it without seek-

ing out its origin God

Te Apostle John understood well where love originated

ldquoWe love because He first loved usrdquo he wrote in 983089 John 983092983089983097 Before

we were saved most of us were going through life completely

oblivious to who God really is One day suddenly and miracu-

lously God invaded our world taking the initiative and reach-ing out to us in love We responded by returning that love to

Him and found ourselves walking in salvation

Te way that we begin life in God is the same way that life

continues with Him God took the initial step He loved us first

He came looking for us spoke to us sent those weird people

to share the gospel with us We looked at those strange people

that were sent into our lives and thought ldquoWow they seem abit out of step with the real worldrdquo But there was something

that drew us God Himself

Our relationship with God is sustained by the same force

of love by which it was birthed God doesnrsquot stop taking the ini-

tiative the moment we are saved He is continually our Lover

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2

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

and we are continually His

beloved Our job is to beloved by God only God can

love God He comes into

our lives and fills them with

hope faith and love Tat

pure love does something inside of us which we give back to

Him

GODrsquoS LANGUAGE IS LOVE

God adores us because He wants our adoration God loves

us because He wants our love God speaks to us by His love

Tis is the language we need to hear from the Lord so that we

can speak it back to Him Itrsquos a glorious cyclemdashGod takes the

initiative by loving us and we return that love to Him God can

say nothing without using this language of love

What is true in the natural is also true by the Spirit Isaiah

described this beautifully in 983093983093983097-983089983089 (983118983105983123983106)

For as the heavens are higher than the earthSo are My ways higher than your ways

And My thoughts than your thoughts

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven And

do not return there without watering the earth

ldquoLIFE IS TO BE FORTIFIED BY

MANY FRIENDSHIPS TO LOVE AND

TO BE LOVED IS THE GREATEST

HAPPINESS OF EXISTENCErdquo

SYDNEY SMITH

8172019 The Language of Promise

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3

GRAHAM COOKE

And making it bear and sprout

And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth

It will not return to Me empty

Without accomplishing what I desire

And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it

Godrsquos promise is as inevitable as rain falling His words

water our lives making us fruitful and productive We returnthis blessing through our words of praise and thanksgiving our

testimony and witness to His Nature and also by our actions

that may bring glory to the Lord

James put it a different way but it is still the same theme

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above

coming down from the Father of lights with whom there

is no variation or shifting shadow In the exercise of Hiswill He brought us forth by the word of truth so that

we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures

(James 983089983089983095-983089983096 983118983105983123983106)

Everything that is good and right comes from a Father who

never changes It is His consistency and faithfulness that is the

bedrock of our ability to receive It simply does not depend uponus He is the origin the cause the motive and the source of

every gift It will always be this way He is the Beginning and the

Ending for all of us for all time His passion is to make each of

us a joyful carrier of His word through His promises so that we

may enjoy the certainty of our receiving His gifts and goodness

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4

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tink of it we are the first fruits of His huge desire to have

a people represent His Excellence Our role in the Earth is toproclaim the fact of Godrsquos outstanding goodness by living the

life of promise that He has set aside for us All Godrsquos promises

are yes And amen in Christ Jesus Paul put it this way in his

letter to the church in Rome

hellipwho has first given to Him that it might be paid back to

Him again For from Him and through Him and to Him

are all things o Him be the glory forever Amen(Romans 983089983089983091983093-983091983094 983118983105983123983106)

It is not possible for us to initiate anything with God Paul

asks who has ever given to God first God initiates we respond

by receiving and then we give back to God the very thing He

gave us in the first place From through and to Him are all

things Everything He wants from us He gives to usTis is amazing wonderful outrageous and mind-bog-

gling stuff Tis means that when the Holy Spirit convicts me

of something He is also relaying the Fatherrsquos willingness to

supply what I lack Terefore

CONVICTION REGARDING OUR INABILITY TO PRAY ALSO

RELEASED THE PROMISE THAT HE WILL HELP US

STRUGGLING WITH UNCLEAN THOUGHTS CONVICTION ALSOBRINGS WITH IT THE PROMISE OF PURITY

PROBLEMS WITH DOUBT983084 UNBELIEF WITH CONVICTION THE

LORD SEEKS TO INITIATE FAITH

Get the message Te promise releases the gift Conviction

seeks to re-establish the divine order Te Holy Spirit points

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5

GRAHAM COOKE

out our need and the provision at the same time Conviction

restores us to being open to the goodness of God From Himthrough Him and to Him are all thingshellipmarvelous

Each of us must see ourselves in that cycle in the man-

ner that the Father has declared o live as part of His cycle of

life we must understand that all of His language to us is full

of promise to us He delights to speak to us and is blessed by

our expectancy

Te tragedy of modern Christianity is that much of it isperformance-oriented We think we have to do something to

get something from God ldquoGod canrsquot possibly like me because

Irsquom not doing anythingrdquo

we say ldquoGod canrsquot love me

I donrsquot pray enough I donrsquot

give enough I donrsquot wor-

ship enough I donrsquot readenoughrdquo But how much

is actually enough We

shouldnrsquot be constantly quantifying ldquoenoughrdquo but we should

be serving God because He loves us Present-day Christians are

quick to fall into the same trap Martha did in Luke 983089983088 think-

ing that we have to prove ourselves worthy of a relationship

with Jesus Being Mary and basking in Jesusrsquo love is a severechallenge for us

Te language of love is something we must all learn We

have to understand how God sees us so that we can see Him

more clearly God loves us and because He loves us we want

to talk to Him Everything we can give to God comes from

ldquoLOVE IS BUT T HE DISCOVERY OF

OURSELVES IN OTHERS983084 AND THE

DELIGHT IN THE RECOGNITIONrdquo

ALEXANDER SMITH

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6

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Him in the first place It begins and ends with God because

intimacy is a cycleIn the natural world we see many examples of this type

of cycle Water falls from the sky and returns to the heavens

by the process of evaporation Te moon does not generate its

own light but reflects the light of the sun in the night sky Te

image in a mirror is nothing more than a reflection of the actual

object Likewise our love for God is a reflection of His love for

us Love begins and ends with GodWe cannot love God on our own initiative but we can give

back that which He has bestowed on us When the Father of

Lights gives us a gift that touches our heart it does something

inside of us We end up returning to God the very thing He has

given us o love God we must be loved by God Itrsquos a wonder-

ful thing to go through our entire lives being loved by God We

are condemned to be loved by Him forever We canrsquot escape itWe have no alternative but to put up with it this is who God is

Parents know an example of this principle when our chil-

dren were growing up and our birthday was approaching most

of us gave them money to buy us a present How do we know

how to do this It is in our 983108983118983105 God is the same way His love

is the currency He gives us so that we can love Him more fully

He gives to us the very thing He wants from us

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7

GRAHAM COOKE

POSSESSED BY GOD

God chose us so that He could be Himself with us He wants

us to see Him as He really is and to fall in love with Him the

same way He has fallen in love with us In our relationship we

must come to a place of mutual declaration as He and the Isra-

elites did in Deuteronomy 983090983094983089983094-983089983097 (983118983113983126)Te 983116983119983122983108 your God commands you this day to fol-

low these decrees and laws carefully observe them

with all your heart and with all your soul

You have declared this day that the 983116983119983122983108 is your God

and that you will walk in his ways that you will keep his

decrees commands and laws and that you will obey him And the 983116983119983122983108 has declared this day that you are his

people his treasured possession as he promised and

that you are to keep all his commands He has declared

that he will set you in praise fame and honor high

above all the nations he has made and that you will be

a people holy to the 983116983119983122983108 your God as he promised

God declares to the Israelites His laws and they in return

declared that they would follow them It was a breakthrough

moment for Israel Just outside of the Promised Land with

their leader Moses winding down his life they finally came to

a point of mutual declaration with God Tis passage actually

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8

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

fulfilled a prophetic conversation Moses and God had shared

forty years earlier in Exodus 983089983097983091-983094 And Moses went up to God and the 983116983119983122983108 called to him from

the mountain saying ldquoTus you shall say to the house of

Jacob and tell the children of Israel lsquoYou have seen what I

did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eaglesrsquo wings

and brought you to Myself Now therefore if you will indeed

obey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be a

special treasure to Me above all people for all the earth is Mine And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a

holy nationrsquo Tese are the words which you shall speak to

the children of Israelrdquo

Moses and Israel had been out of Egypt for just three

months when God spoke these words Te words ldquospecial trea-

surerdquo can also be interpreted as ldquopossessionrdquo ldquoIf you will indeedobey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be My

possessionrdquo God was saying ldquoTe whole earth is Mine but you

will be My special treasurerdquo Tose simple words began a pro-

phetic theme from the heart of God which has echoed through

countless generations

Tis original prophetic blessing was updated and expanded

in Deuteronomy 983095983094-983097For you are a holy people to the 983116983119983122983108 your God the 983116983119983122983108

your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself a spe-

cial treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth

Te 983116983119983122983108 did not set His love on you nor choose you because

you were more in number than any other people for you

8172019 The Language of Promise

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9

GRAHAM COOKE

were the least of all peoples but because the 983116983119983122983108 loves

you and because He would keep the oath which He sworeto your fathers the 983116983119983122983108

has brought you out

with a mighty hand and

redeemed you from the

house of bondage from

the hand of Pharaoh king

of Egypt Terefore knowthat the 983116983119983122983108 your God

He is God the faithful

God who keeps covenant

and mercy for a thou-

sand generations with those who love Him and keep His

commandments

We have been chosen as Godrsquos special treasure not because

of who we are but because of who God is His love cuts away all

of our performance-oriented mentality God chose you because

of who He is He chose you because of what He is like You

werenrsquot chosen because you are deserving or clever or brilliant

or handsome or noble or even good He chose you because He

is good Out of His love and His promises you were selectedas His treasure Godrsquos faithfulness has been the bedrock of His

dealings with humanity throughout time God cannot changemdash

He cannot be anything other than who He is

ldquoEVERYBODY CAN BE GREAThellip

BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN SERVE

YOU DONrsquoT HAVE TO HAVE A

COLLEG E DEG REE TO SERV E

Y O U D O N rsquo T H A V E T O M A K E

YOUR SUBJECT AND VERB AGREE

TO SERVE YOU ONLY NEED A

HEART FULL OF GRACE983084 A SOUL

GENERATED BY LOVErdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

8172019 The Language of Promise

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11

GRAHAM COOKE

Learning to cohabit with God takes time Te pressure of

ministry is intense it can stress us out make us sick even killus unless we know how to rest in the Lord It takes discipline

to bring ourselves to a place of peace before God but it is abso-

lutely necessary to do so It has taken years of practice for me

but on most days I can bring myself to that place of peace

in five or ten seconds It no longer matters what is swirling

around me or threatening me I can still myself before God I

have to I need to be quiet to hear His voice God loves to speakin whispers He rarely answers prayers at the same decibel level

at which they are prayed

ldquoFatherrdquo we can shout at Him ldquoI need to hear Your voicerdquo

ldquoI knowrdquo He whispers back

ldquoSpeak to merdquo we bellow at the top of our lungs

ldquoI amrdquo He whispers

ldquoI need to hear Your voice todayrdquo we blareldquoShut up and listenrdquo He whispers

ldquoBe still and know that I am Godrdquo says Psalm 983092983094983089983088 Medi-

tation is another avenue towards cohabitation with God Te

western church must learn to meditate setting time aside to

think deeply about God It doesnrsquot have to be long just fifteen

minutes or half-an-hour but the more you do it the more time

yoursquoll want to give to Him I love meditatingMeditation and stillness flow into an upgrade of our peace

I spend a lot of time on peace with the people I disciple I con-

stantly confront them on the issue of peace in their lives I

donrsquot expect them to worry or panic at the same level next year

as they did this year Teir peace must increase and anxiety

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12

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

decrease Peace is a vital fruit

of the SpiritWithout an upgrade in our

capacity to rest in the Lord

we find ourselves running on

adrenaline Tatrsquos okay for a

while but for every adrenaline

high therersquos an adrenaline low Often people get down and

depressed because they have been running on adrenaline andtheyrsquove run out Itrsquos not the pressure of life that gets to us itrsquos

the pressure of how we run it

Peace though is an equalizing pressure If the world is

throwing a thousand pounds of pressure at you from the out-

side peace sends a thousand and one pounds from the inside

Irsquom under pressure wherever I gomdashintense pressure in most

places Everyone wants to see me and talk to me and pull at meand get prayer from me I donrsquot mind itrsquos my job o survive

I have learned to be at peace My rest in God gives me space

Eventually adrenaline will rob our mind and body and will

leave us exhausted Itrsquos okay to be tired in the work but itrsquos not

okay to be tired of the work We must learn to give ourselves

to peace rest and meditation We can operate at the highest

level for many years if we have developed ourselves internallyin preparation

IF THE WORLD IS THROWING

A THOUSA ND P OUNDS OF

PRESSURE AT YOU FROM THE

OUTSIDE983084 P EA CE SENDS A

THOUSAND AND ONE POUNDS

FROM THE INSIDE

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13

GRAHAM COOKE

SONSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

We live our lives in the tension of a paradox between being

and doing Te key to succeeding in this quandary is to always

choose being over doing We must choose to take time out to

rest We all have to do many things but being is just as impor-

tant Tis paradox could be described as the difference betweensonship and stewardship We must learn how to serve the Lord

but we must also explore how to be a son of God God doesnrsquot

want to treat you like a slavemdashHe wants to treat you like a son

One of my mentors Arthur once asked me ldquoGraham do

you want to be a servant of the Lordrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo I answered

ldquoTen donrsquot get upset if He treats you like onerdquo Arthur saidSometimes God commands and I obey Other times He

makes a request of me because He wants to treat me like His

son Christians need to know how to live life as both a servant

and a son Being a son means God gets the best of our day not

just the tail end Te Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a

man who knew how to be both a servant and a son as we read

in Ephesians 983089983089983093-983090983091Terefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ the Father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 4: The Language of Promise

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IV

GRAHAM COOKE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSFamilies are the bedrock of life Tey supply the love belief

laughter determination and focus to enable each member to

grow in confidence and take on seemingly impossible things

Wives sons daughters and grandchildren become the world

that we look through along with our friends

We work persevere build persist and develop with themin mind Teir love acceptance and support acts as a catalyst

for all that we attempt Tey lift us beyond measure into a place

in Christ that contains more than we imagine

Heather Ben Seth Sophie and partners Teresa Alexis

and Alyssa Our wonderful grandchildren All have contributed

to the fullness of my ongoing life experience

Te brilliant friends that I have walked with for severaldecades Te amazing leaders and ministries that have graced

my life Te Radiance Community in Santa Barbara a grand

company with whom to explore life and fullness in Jesus

Finally to the one in the coffee house who started this

journey and the God who sustains it

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V

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

INTRODUCTIONJesus was getting used to operating under the critical eye of

the Sadducees and Pharisees He had encountered them many

times in His ministry and had always used the beauty of Godrsquos

truth to stay one step ahead of them oday would be no differ-

ent Te Pharisees had heard that Jesus had stumped the Sad-

ducees so one of them a lawyer asked Him a loaded questionldquoeacher which is the great commandment in the lawrdquo

Jesusrsquo answer summed up the call on every Christian who

has followed Him in the 983090983088983088983088 years since ldquoTe first of all the

commandments is lsquoHear 983119 Israel the 983116983119983122983108 our God the 983116983119983122983108 is

one And you shall love the 983116983119983122983108 your God with all your heart with

all your soul with all your mind and with all your strengthrsquo Tis

is the first commandment And the second like it is this lsquoYou shalllove your neighbor as yourselfrsquo Tere is no other commandment

greater than theserdquo Jesus replied in Mark 983089983090 983090983097-983091983089 Christianity

can be boiled down into those two statements our role in life

is to love God and to love everyone we come into contact with

Jesus has not asked us to do something He has not already

done Himself God always obeys His own wordmdashHe cannot go

against His own decrees He does not ask us to do something Hewould not do Himself We can therefore look at the first com-

mandment and know that He loves us with all of His heart all

of His soul all of His mind and all of His strength

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VI

GRAHAM COOKE

Never doubt that you are absolutely and completely loved

by God You are His beloved Your role in life is to receive thatlove return it to Him and pass it along to everyone around you

Itrsquos a tough job I know but someonersquos got to do it Love Him

with everything in youmdashit all belongs to Him anyway And

love anyone you come into contact with anyone within touch-

ing distance It doesnrsquot matter what yoursquore doing where yoursquore

going or who yoursquore meetingmdashyou are called to love others It

is irrelevant whether they are Christian or pre-Christian theyare your neighbors and you are called to touch them with the

love of God

God has taken the lead in this He has come to each and

every one of us and poured His love into our spirits I love you

with all of My heart all of My soul all of My mind and all of My

strength Everything in Me is dedicated to loving you Irsquove poured

this love into you and yoursquore going to have the pleasure of giving itback to Me

Tis is our greatest blessing we are loved passionately by

God

Graham Cooke

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VII

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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VIII

GRAHAM COOKE

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IX

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

THE

LANGUAGEOF PROMISE

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1

GRAHAM COOKE

IN YOUR BEGINNING

Love is a topic that has been explored pondered consid-

ered and written about for as long as humans have been around

It has been looked at from almost every angle and is an expe-

riential common ground for humanity everyone understands

the feeling of love Many however have a distorted view ofthe power of love Tey have tried to capture it without seek-

ing out its origin God

Te Apostle John understood well where love originated

ldquoWe love because He first loved usrdquo he wrote in 983089 John 983092983089983097 Before

we were saved most of us were going through life completely

oblivious to who God really is One day suddenly and miracu-

lously God invaded our world taking the initiative and reach-ing out to us in love We responded by returning that love to

Him and found ourselves walking in salvation

Te way that we begin life in God is the same way that life

continues with Him God took the initial step He loved us first

He came looking for us spoke to us sent those weird people

to share the gospel with us We looked at those strange people

that were sent into our lives and thought ldquoWow they seem abit out of step with the real worldrdquo But there was something

that drew us God Himself

Our relationship with God is sustained by the same force

of love by which it was birthed God doesnrsquot stop taking the ini-

tiative the moment we are saved He is continually our Lover

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2

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

and we are continually His

beloved Our job is to beloved by God only God can

love God He comes into

our lives and fills them with

hope faith and love Tat

pure love does something inside of us which we give back to

Him

GODrsquoS LANGUAGE IS LOVE

God adores us because He wants our adoration God loves

us because He wants our love God speaks to us by His love

Tis is the language we need to hear from the Lord so that we

can speak it back to Him Itrsquos a glorious cyclemdashGod takes the

initiative by loving us and we return that love to Him God can

say nothing without using this language of love

What is true in the natural is also true by the Spirit Isaiah

described this beautifully in 983093983093983097-983089983089 (983118983105983123983106)

For as the heavens are higher than the earthSo are My ways higher than your ways

And My thoughts than your thoughts

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven And

do not return there without watering the earth

ldquoLIFE IS TO BE FORTIFIED BY

MANY FRIENDSHIPS TO LOVE AND

TO BE LOVED IS THE GREATEST

HAPPINESS OF EXISTENCErdquo

SYDNEY SMITH

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3

GRAHAM COOKE

And making it bear and sprout

And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth

It will not return to Me empty

Without accomplishing what I desire

And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it

Godrsquos promise is as inevitable as rain falling His words

water our lives making us fruitful and productive We returnthis blessing through our words of praise and thanksgiving our

testimony and witness to His Nature and also by our actions

that may bring glory to the Lord

James put it a different way but it is still the same theme

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above

coming down from the Father of lights with whom there

is no variation or shifting shadow In the exercise of Hiswill He brought us forth by the word of truth so that

we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures

(James 983089983089983095-983089983096 983118983105983123983106)

Everything that is good and right comes from a Father who

never changes It is His consistency and faithfulness that is the

bedrock of our ability to receive It simply does not depend uponus He is the origin the cause the motive and the source of

every gift It will always be this way He is the Beginning and the

Ending for all of us for all time His passion is to make each of

us a joyful carrier of His word through His promises so that we

may enjoy the certainty of our receiving His gifts and goodness

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4

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tink of it we are the first fruits of His huge desire to have

a people represent His Excellence Our role in the Earth is toproclaim the fact of Godrsquos outstanding goodness by living the

life of promise that He has set aside for us All Godrsquos promises

are yes And amen in Christ Jesus Paul put it this way in his

letter to the church in Rome

hellipwho has first given to Him that it might be paid back to

Him again For from Him and through Him and to Him

are all things o Him be the glory forever Amen(Romans 983089983089983091983093-983091983094 983118983105983123983106)

It is not possible for us to initiate anything with God Paul

asks who has ever given to God first God initiates we respond

by receiving and then we give back to God the very thing He

gave us in the first place From through and to Him are all

things Everything He wants from us He gives to usTis is amazing wonderful outrageous and mind-bog-

gling stuff Tis means that when the Holy Spirit convicts me

of something He is also relaying the Fatherrsquos willingness to

supply what I lack Terefore

CONVICTION REGARDING OUR INABILITY TO PRAY ALSO

RELEASED THE PROMISE THAT HE WILL HELP US

STRUGGLING WITH UNCLEAN THOUGHTS CONVICTION ALSOBRINGS WITH IT THE PROMISE OF PURITY

PROBLEMS WITH DOUBT983084 UNBELIEF WITH CONVICTION THE

LORD SEEKS TO INITIATE FAITH

Get the message Te promise releases the gift Conviction

seeks to re-establish the divine order Te Holy Spirit points

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5

GRAHAM COOKE

out our need and the provision at the same time Conviction

restores us to being open to the goodness of God From Himthrough Him and to Him are all thingshellipmarvelous

Each of us must see ourselves in that cycle in the man-

ner that the Father has declared o live as part of His cycle of

life we must understand that all of His language to us is full

of promise to us He delights to speak to us and is blessed by

our expectancy

Te tragedy of modern Christianity is that much of it isperformance-oriented We think we have to do something to

get something from God ldquoGod canrsquot possibly like me because

Irsquom not doing anythingrdquo

we say ldquoGod canrsquot love me

I donrsquot pray enough I donrsquot

give enough I donrsquot wor-

ship enough I donrsquot readenoughrdquo But how much

is actually enough We

shouldnrsquot be constantly quantifying ldquoenoughrdquo but we should

be serving God because He loves us Present-day Christians are

quick to fall into the same trap Martha did in Luke 983089983088 think-

ing that we have to prove ourselves worthy of a relationship

with Jesus Being Mary and basking in Jesusrsquo love is a severechallenge for us

Te language of love is something we must all learn We

have to understand how God sees us so that we can see Him

more clearly God loves us and because He loves us we want

to talk to Him Everything we can give to God comes from

ldquoLOVE IS BUT T HE DISCOVERY OF

OURSELVES IN OTHERS983084 AND THE

DELIGHT IN THE RECOGNITIONrdquo

ALEXANDER SMITH

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6

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Him in the first place It begins and ends with God because

intimacy is a cycleIn the natural world we see many examples of this type

of cycle Water falls from the sky and returns to the heavens

by the process of evaporation Te moon does not generate its

own light but reflects the light of the sun in the night sky Te

image in a mirror is nothing more than a reflection of the actual

object Likewise our love for God is a reflection of His love for

us Love begins and ends with GodWe cannot love God on our own initiative but we can give

back that which He has bestowed on us When the Father of

Lights gives us a gift that touches our heart it does something

inside of us We end up returning to God the very thing He has

given us o love God we must be loved by God Itrsquos a wonder-

ful thing to go through our entire lives being loved by God We

are condemned to be loved by Him forever We canrsquot escape itWe have no alternative but to put up with it this is who God is

Parents know an example of this principle when our chil-

dren were growing up and our birthday was approaching most

of us gave them money to buy us a present How do we know

how to do this It is in our 983108983118983105 God is the same way His love

is the currency He gives us so that we can love Him more fully

He gives to us the very thing He wants from us

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7

GRAHAM COOKE

POSSESSED BY GOD

God chose us so that He could be Himself with us He wants

us to see Him as He really is and to fall in love with Him the

same way He has fallen in love with us In our relationship we

must come to a place of mutual declaration as He and the Isra-

elites did in Deuteronomy 983090983094983089983094-983089983097 (983118983113983126)Te 983116983119983122983108 your God commands you this day to fol-

low these decrees and laws carefully observe them

with all your heart and with all your soul

You have declared this day that the 983116983119983122983108 is your God

and that you will walk in his ways that you will keep his

decrees commands and laws and that you will obey him And the 983116983119983122983108 has declared this day that you are his

people his treasured possession as he promised and

that you are to keep all his commands He has declared

that he will set you in praise fame and honor high

above all the nations he has made and that you will be

a people holy to the 983116983119983122983108 your God as he promised

God declares to the Israelites His laws and they in return

declared that they would follow them It was a breakthrough

moment for Israel Just outside of the Promised Land with

their leader Moses winding down his life they finally came to

a point of mutual declaration with God Tis passage actually

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8

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

fulfilled a prophetic conversation Moses and God had shared

forty years earlier in Exodus 983089983097983091-983094 And Moses went up to God and the 983116983119983122983108 called to him from

the mountain saying ldquoTus you shall say to the house of

Jacob and tell the children of Israel lsquoYou have seen what I

did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eaglesrsquo wings

and brought you to Myself Now therefore if you will indeed

obey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be a

special treasure to Me above all people for all the earth is Mine And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a

holy nationrsquo Tese are the words which you shall speak to

the children of Israelrdquo

Moses and Israel had been out of Egypt for just three

months when God spoke these words Te words ldquospecial trea-

surerdquo can also be interpreted as ldquopossessionrdquo ldquoIf you will indeedobey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be My

possessionrdquo God was saying ldquoTe whole earth is Mine but you

will be My special treasurerdquo Tose simple words began a pro-

phetic theme from the heart of God which has echoed through

countless generations

Tis original prophetic blessing was updated and expanded

in Deuteronomy 983095983094-983097For you are a holy people to the 983116983119983122983108 your God the 983116983119983122983108

your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself a spe-

cial treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth

Te 983116983119983122983108 did not set His love on you nor choose you because

you were more in number than any other people for you

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9

GRAHAM COOKE

were the least of all peoples but because the 983116983119983122983108 loves

you and because He would keep the oath which He sworeto your fathers the 983116983119983122983108

has brought you out

with a mighty hand and

redeemed you from the

house of bondage from

the hand of Pharaoh king

of Egypt Terefore knowthat the 983116983119983122983108 your God

He is God the faithful

God who keeps covenant

and mercy for a thou-

sand generations with those who love Him and keep His

commandments

We have been chosen as Godrsquos special treasure not because

of who we are but because of who God is His love cuts away all

of our performance-oriented mentality God chose you because

of who He is He chose you because of what He is like You

werenrsquot chosen because you are deserving or clever or brilliant

or handsome or noble or even good He chose you because He

is good Out of His love and His promises you were selectedas His treasure Godrsquos faithfulness has been the bedrock of His

dealings with humanity throughout time God cannot changemdash

He cannot be anything other than who He is

ldquoEVERYBODY CAN BE GREAThellip

BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN SERVE

YOU DONrsquoT HAVE TO HAVE A

COLLEG E DEG REE TO SERV E

Y O U D O N rsquo T H A V E T O M A K E

YOUR SUBJECT AND VERB AGREE

TO SERVE YOU ONLY NEED A

HEART FULL OF GRACE983084 A SOUL

GENERATED BY LOVErdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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11

GRAHAM COOKE

Learning to cohabit with God takes time Te pressure of

ministry is intense it can stress us out make us sick even killus unless we know how to rest in the Lord It takes discipline

to bring ourselves to a place of peace before God but it is abso-

lutely necessary to do so It has taken years of practice for me

but on most days I can bring myself to that place of peace

in five or ten seconds It no longer matters what is swirling

around me or threatening me I can still myself before God I

have to I need to be quiet to hear His voice God loves to speakin whispers He rarely answers prayers at the same decibel level

at which they are prayed

ldquoFatherrdquo we can shout at Him ldquoI need to hear Your voicerdquo

ldquoI knowrdquo He whispers back

ldquoSpeak to merdquo we bellow at the top of our lungs

ldquoI amrdquo He whispers

ldquoI need to hear Your voice todayrdquo we blareldquoShut up and listenrdquo He whispers

ldquoBe still and know that I am Godrdquo says Psalm 983092983094983089983088 Medi-

tation is another avenue towards cohabitation with God Te

western church must learn to meditate setting time aside to

think deeply about God It doesnrsquot have to be long just fifteen

minutes or half-an-hour but the more you do it the more time

yoursquoll want to give to Him I love meditatingMeditation and stillness flow into an upgrade of our peace

I spend a lot of time on peace with the people I disciple I con-

stantly confront them on the issue of peace in their lives I

donrsquot expect them to worry or panic at the same level next year

as they did this year Teir peace must increase and anxiety

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12

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

decrease Peace is a vital fruit

of the SpiritWithout an upgrade in our

capacity to rest in the Lord

we find ourselves running on

adrenaline Tatrsquos okay for a

while but for every adrenaline

high therersquos an adrenaline low Often people get down and

depressed because they have been running on adrenaline andtheyrsquove run out Itrsquos not the pressure of life that gets to us itrsquos

the pressure of how we run it

Peace though is an equalizing pressure If the world is

throwing a thousand pounds of pressure at you from the out-

side peace sends a thousand and one pounds from the inside

Irsquom under pressure wherever I gomdashintense pressure in most

places Everyone wants to see me and talk to me and pull at meand get prayer from me I donrsquot mind itrsquos my job o survive

I have learned to be at peace My rest in God gives me space

Eventually adrenaline will rob our mind and body and will

leave us exhausted Itrsquos okay to be tired in the work but itrsquos not

okay to be tired of the work We must learn to give ourselves

to peace rest and meditation We can operate at the highest

level for many years if we have developed ourselves internallyin preparation

IF THE WORLD IS THROWING

A THOUSA ND P OUNDS OF

PRESSURE AT YOU FROM THE

OUTSIDE983084 P EA CE SENDS A

THOUSAND AND ONE POUNDS

FROM THE INSIDE

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13

GRAHAM COOKE

SONSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

We live our lives in the tension of a paradox between being

and doing Te key to succeeding in this quandary is to always

choose being over doing We must choose to take time out to

rest We all have to do many things but being is just as impor-

tant Tis paradox could be described as the difference betweensonship and stewardship We must learn how to serve the Lord

but we must also explore how to be a son of God God doesnrsquot

want to treat you like a slavemdashHe wants to treat you like a son

One of my mentors Arthur once asked me ldquoGraham do

you want to be a servant of the Lordrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo I answered

ldquoTen donrsquot get upset if He treats you like onerdquo Arthur saidSometimes God commands and I obey Other times He

makes a request of me because He wants to treat me like His

son Christians need to know how to live life as both a servant

and a son Being a son means God gets the best of our day not

just the tail end Te Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a

man who knew how to be both a servant and a son as we read

in Ephesians 983089983089983093-983090983091Terefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ the Father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 5: The Language of Promise

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V

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

INTRODUCTIONJesus was getting used to operating under the critical eye of

the Sadducees and Pharisees He had encountered them many

times in His ministry and had always used the beauty of Godrsquos

truth to stay one step ahead of them oday would be no differ-

ent Te Pharisees had heard that Jesus had stumped the Sad-

ducees so one of them a lawyer asked Him a loaded questionldquoeacher which is the great commandment in the lawrdquo

Jesusrsquo answer summed up the call on every Christian who

has followed Him in the 983090983088983088983088 years since ldquoTe first of all the

commandments is lsquoHear 983119 Israel the 983116983119983122983108 our God the 983116983119983122983108 is

one And you shall love the 983116983119983122983108 your God with all your heart with

all your soul with all your mind and with all your strengthrsquo Tis

is the first commandment And the second like it is this lsquoYou shalllove your neighbor as yourselfrsquo Tere is no other commandment

greater than theserdquo Jesus replied in Mark 983089983090 983090983097-983091983089 Christianity

can be boiled down into those two statements our role in life

is to love God and to love everyone we come into contact with

Jesus has not asked us to do something He has not already

done Himself God always obeys His own wordmdashHe cannot go

against His own decrees He does not ask us to do something Hewould not do Himself We can therefore look at the first com-

mandment and know that He loves us with all of His heart all

of His soul all of His mind and all of His strength

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VI

GRAHAM COOKE

Never doubt that you are absolutely and completely loved

by God You are His beloved Your role in life is to receive thatlove return it to Him and pass it along to everyone around you

Itrsquos a tough job I know but someonersquos got to do it Love Him

with everything in youmdashit all belongs to Him anyway And

love anyone you come into contact with anyone within touch-

ing distance It doesnrsquot matter what yoursquore doing where yoursquore

going or who yoursquore meetingmdashyou are called to love others It

is irrelevant whether they are Christian or pre-Christian theyare your neighbors and you are called to touch them with the

love of God

God has taken the lead in this He has come to each and

every one of us and poured His love into our spirits I love you

with all of My heart all of My soul all of My mind and all of My

strength Everything in Me is dedicated to loving you Irsquove poured

this love into you and yoursquore going to have the pleasure of giving itback to Me

Tis is our greatest blessing we are loved passionately by

God

Graham Cooke

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VII

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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VIII

GRAHAM COOKE

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IX

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

THE

LANGUAGEOF PROMISE

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1

GRAHAM COOKE

IN YOUR BEGINNING

Love is a topic that has been explored pondered consid-

ered and written about for as long as humans have been around

It has been looked at from almost every angle and is an expe-

riential common ground for humanity everyone understands

the feeling of love Many however have a distorted view ofthe power of love Tey have tried to capture it without seek-

ing out its origin God

Te Apostle John understood well where love originated

ldquoWe love because He first loved usrdquo he wrote in 983089 John 983092983089983097 Before

we were saved most of us were going through life completely

oblivious to who God really is One day suddenly and miracu-

lously God invaded our world taking the initiative and reach-ing out to us in love We responded by returning that love to

Him and found ourselves walking in salvation

Te way that we begin life in God is the same way that life

continues with Him God took the initial step He loved us first

He came looking for us spoke to us sent those weird people

to share the gospel with us We looked at those strange people

that were sent into our lives and thought ldquoWow they seem abit out of step with the real worldrdquo But there was something

that drew us God Himself

Our relationship with God is sustained by the same force

of love by which it was birthed God doesnrsquot stop taking the ini-

tiative the moment we are saved He is continually our Lover

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2

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

and we are continually His

beloved Our job is to beloved by God only God can

love God He comes into

our lives and fills them with

hope faith and love Tat

pure love does something inside of us which we give back to

Him

GODrsquoS LANGUAGE IS LOVE

God adores us because He wants our adoration God loves

us because He wants our love God speaks to us by His love

Tis is the language we need to hear from the Lord so that we

can speak it back to Him Itrsquos a glorious cyclemdashGod takes the

initiative by loving us and we return that love to Him God can

say nothing without using this language of love

What is true in the natural is also true by the Spirit Isaiah

described this beautifully in 983093983093983097-983089983089 (983118983105983123983106)

For as the heavens are higher than the earthSo are My ways higher than your ways

And My thoughts than your thoughts

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven And

do not return there without watering the earth

ldquoLIFE IS TO BE FORTIFIED BY

MANY FRIENDSHIPS TO LOVE AND

TO BE LOVED IS THE GREATEST

HAPPINESS OF EXISTENCErdquo

SYDNEY SMITH

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3

GRAHAM COOKE

And making it bear and sprout

And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth

It will not return to Me empty

Without accomplishing what I desire

And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it

Godrsquos promise is as inevitable as rain falling His words

water our lives making us fruitful and productive We returnthis blessing through our words of praise and thanksgiving our

testimony and witness to His Nature and also by our actions

that may bring glory to the Lord

James put it a different way but it is still the same theme

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above

coming down from the Father of lights with whom there

is no variation or shifting shadow In the exercise of Hiswill He brought us forth by the word of truth so that

we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures

(James 983089983089983095-983089983096 983118983105983123983106)

Everything that is good and right comes from a Father who

never changes It is His consistency and faithfulness that is the

bedrock of our ability to receive It simply does not depend uponus He is the origin the cause the motive and the source of

every gift It will always be this way He is the Beginning and the

Ending for all of us for all time His passion is to make each of

us a joyful carrier of His word through His promises so that we

may enjoy the certainty of our receiving His gifts and goodness

8172019 The Language of Promise

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4

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tink of it we are the first fruits of His huge desire to have

a people represent His Excellence Our role in the Earth is toproclaim the fact of Godrsquos outstanding goodness by living the

life of promise that He has set aside for us All Godrsquos promises

are yes And amen in Christ Jesus Paul put it this way in his

letter to the church in Rome

hellipwho has first given to Him that it might be paid back to

Him again For from Him and through Him and to Him

are all things o Him be the glory forever Amen(Romans 983089983089983091983093-983091983094 983118983105983123983106)

It is not possible for us to initiate anything with God Paul

asks who has ever given to God first God initiates we respond

by receiving and then we give back to God the very thing He

gave us in the first place From through and to Him are all

things Everything He wants from us He gives to usTis is amazing wonderful outrageous and mind-bog-

gling stuff Tis means that when the Holy Spirit convicts me

of something He is also relaying the Fatherrsquos willingness to

supply what I lack Terefore

CONVICTION REGARDING OUR INABILITY TO PRAY ALSO

RELEASED THE PROMISE THAT HE WILL HELP US

STRUGGLING WITH UNCLEAN THOUGHTS CONVICTION ALSOBRINGS WITH IT THE PROMISE OF PURITY

PROBLEMS WITH DOUBT983084 UNBELIEF WITH CONVICTION THE

LORD SEEKS TO INITIATE FAITH

Get the message Te promise releases the gift Conviction

seeks to re-establish the divine order Te Holy Spirit points

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5

GRAHAM COOKE

out our need and the provision at the same time Conviction

restores us to being open to the goodness of God From Himthrough Him and to Him are all thingshellipmarvelous

Each of us must see ourselves in that cycle in the man-

ner that the Father has declared o live as part of His cycle of

life we must understand that all of His language to us is full

of promise to us He delights to speak to us and is blessed by

our expectancy

Te tragedy of modern Christianity is that much of it isperformance-oriented We think we have to do something to

get something from God ldquoGod canrsquot possibly like me because

Irsquom not doing anythingrdquo

we say ldquoGod canrsquot love me

I donrsquot pray enough I donrsquot

give enough I donrsquot wor-

ship enough I donrsquot readenoughrdquo But how much

is actually enough We

shouldnrsquot be constantly quantifying ldquoenoughrdquo but we should

be serving God because He loves us Present-day Christians are

quick to fall into the same trap Martha did in Luke 983089983088 think-

ing that we have to prove ourselves worthy of a relationship

with Jesus Being Mary and basking in Jesusrsquo love is a severechallenge for us

Te language of love is something we must all learn We

have to understand how God sees us so that we can see Him

more clearly God loves us and because He loves us we want

to talk to Him Everything we can give to God comes from

ldquoLOVE IS BUT T HE DISCOVERY OF

OURSELVES IN OTHERS983084 AND THE

DELIGHT IN THE RECOGNITIONrdquo

ALEXANDER SMITH

8172019 The Language of Promise

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6

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Him in the first place It begins and ends with God because

intimacy is a cycleIn the natural world we see many examples of this type

of cycle Water falls from the sky and returns to the heavens

by the process of evaporation Te moon does not generate its

own light but reflects the light of the sun in the night sky Te

image in a mirror is nothing more than a reflection of the actual

object Likewise our love for God is a reflection of His love for

us Love begins and ends with GodWe cannot love God on our own initiative but we can give

back that which He has bestowed on us When the Father of

Lights gives us a gift that touches our heart it does something

inside of us We end up returning to God the very thing He has

given us o love God we must be loved by God Itrsquos a wonder-

ful thing to go through our entire lives being loved by God We

are condemned to be loved by Him forever We canrsquot escape itWe have no alternative but to put up with it this is who God is

Parents know an example of this principle when our chil-

dren were growing up and our birthday was approaching most

of us gave them money to buy us a present How do we know

how to do this It is in our 983108983118983105 God is the same way His love

is the currency He gives us so that we can love Him more fully

He gives to us the very thing He wants from us

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7

GRAHAM COOKE

POSSESSED BY GOD

God chose us so that He could be Himself with us He wants

us to see Him as He really is and to fall in love with Him the

same way He has fallen in love with us In our relationship we

must come to a place of mutual declaration as He and the Isra-

elites did in Deuteronomy 983090983094983089983094-983089983097 (983118983113983126)Te 983116983119983122983108 your God commands you this day to fol-

low these decrees and laws carefully observe them

with all your heart and with all your soul

You have declared this day that the 983116983119983122983108 is your God

and that you will walk in his ways that you will keep his

decrees commands and laws and that you will obey him And the 983116983119983122983108 has declared this day that you are his

people his treasured possession as he promised and

that you are to keep all his commands He has declared

that he will set you in praise fame and honor high

above all the nations he has made and that you will be

a people holy to the 983116983119983122983108 your God as he promised

God declares to the Israelites His laws and they in return

declared that they would follow them It was a breakthrough

moment for Israel Just outside of the Promised Land with

their leader Moses winding down his life they finally came to

a point of mutual declaration with God Tis passage actually

8172019 The Language of Promise

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8

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

fulfilled a prophetic conversation Moses and God had shared

forty years earlier in Exodus 983089983097983091-983094 And Moses went up to God and the 983116983119983122983108 called to him from

the mountain saying ldquoTus you shall say to the house of

Jacob and tell the children of Israel lsquoYou have seen what I

did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eaglesrsquo wings

and brought you to Myself Now therefore if you will indeed

obey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be a

special treasure to Me above all people for all the earth is Mine And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a

holy nationrsquo Tese are the words which you shall speak to

the children of Israelrdquo

Moses and Israel had been out of Egypt for just three

months when God spoke these words Te words ldquospecial trea-

surerdquo can also be interpreted as ldquopossessionrdquo ldquoIf you will indeedobey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be My

possessionrdquo God was saying ldquoTe whole earth is Mine but you

will be My special treasurerdquo Tose simple words began a pro-

phetic theme from the heart of God which has echoed through

countless generations

Tis original prophetic blessing was updated and expanded

in Deuteronomy 983095983094-983097For you are a holy people to the 983116983119983122983108 your God the 983116983119983122983108

your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself a spe-

cial treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth

Te 983116983119983122983108 did not set His love on you nor choose you because

you were more in number than any other people for you

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9

GRAHAM COOKE

were the least of all peoples but because the 983116983119983122983108 loves

you and because He would keep the oath which He sworeto your fathers the 983116983119983122983108

has brought you out

with a mighty hand and

redeemed you from the

house of bondage from

the hand of Pharaoh king

of Egypt Terefore knowthat the 983116983119983122983108 your God

He is God the faithful

God who keeps covenant

and mercy for a thou-

sand generations with those who love Him and keep His

commandments

We have been chosen as Godrsquos special treasure not because

of who we are but because of who God is His love cuts away all

of our performance-oriented mentality God chose you because

of who He is He chose you because of what He is like You

werenrsquot chosen because you are deserving or clever or brilliant

or handsome or noble or even good He chose you because He

is good Out of His love and His promises you were selectedas His treasure Godrsquos faithfulness has been the bedrock of His

dealings with humanity throughout time God cannot changemdash

He cannot be anything other than who He is

ldquoEVERYBODY CAN BE GREAThellip

BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN SERVE

YOU DONrsquoT HAVE TO HAVE A

COLLEG E DEG REE TO SERV E

Y O U D O N rsquo T H A V E T O M A K E

YOUR SUBJECT AND VERB AGREE

TO SERVE YOU ONLY NEED A

HEART FULL OF GRACE983084 A SOUL

GENERATED BY LOVErdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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11

GRAHAM COOKE

Learning to cohabit with God takes time Te pressure of

ministry is intense it can stress us out make us sick even killus unless we know how to rest in the Lord It takes discipline

to bring ourselves to a place of peace before God but it is abso-

lutely necessary to do so It has taken years of practice for me

but on most days I can bring myself to that place of peace

in five or ten seconds It no longer matters what is swirling

around me or threatening me I can still myself before God I

have to I need to be quiet to hear His voice God loves to speakin whispers He rarely answers prayers at the same decibel level

at which they are prayed

ldquoFatherrdquo we can shout at Him ldquoI need to hear Your voicerdquo

ldquoI knowrdquo He whispers back

ldquoSpeak to merdquo we bellow at the top of our lungs

ldquoI amrdquo He whispers

ldquoI need to hear Your voice todayrdquo we blareldquoShut up and listenrdquo He whispers

ldquoBe still and know that I am Godrdquo says Psalm 983092983094983089983088 Medi-

tation is another avenue towards cohabitation with God Te

western church must learn to meditate setting time aside to

think deeply about God It doesnrsquot have to be long just fifteen

minutes or half-an-hour but the more you do it the more time

yoursquoll want to give to Him I love meditatingMeditation and stillness flow into an upgrade of our peace

I spend a lot of time on peace with the people I disciple I con-

stantly confront them on the issue of peace in their lives I

donrsquot expect them to worry or panic at the same level next year

as they did this year Teir peace must increase and anxiety

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12

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

decrease Peace is a vital fruit

of the SpiritWithout an upgrade in our

capacity to rest in the Lord

we find ourselves running on

adrenaline Tatrsquos okay for a

while but for every adrenaline

high therersquos an adrenaline low Often people get down and

depressed because they have been running on adrenaline andtheyrsquove run out Itrsquos not the pressure of life that gets to us itrsquos

the pressure of how we run it

Peace though is an equalizing pressure If the world is

throwing a thousand pounds of pressure at you from the out-

side peace sends a thousand and one pounds from the inside

Irsquom under pressure wherever I gomdashintense pressure in most

places Everyone wants to see me and talk to me and pull at meand get prayer from me I donrsquot mind itrsquos my job o survive

I have learned to be at peace My rest in God gives me space

Eventually adrenaline will rob our mind and body and will

leave us exhausted Itrsquos okay to be tired in the work but itrsquos not

okay to be tired of the work We must learn to give ourselves

to peace rest and meditation We can operate at the highest

level for many years if we have developed ourselves internallyin preparation

IF THE WORLD IS THROWING

A THOUSA ND P OUNDS OF

PRESSURE AT YOU FROM THE

OUTSIDE983084 P EA CE SENDS A

THOUSAND AND ONE POUNDS

FROM THE INSIDE

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13

GRAHAM COOKE

SONSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

We live our lives in the tension of a paradox between being

and doing Te key to succeeding in this quandary is to always

choose being over doing We must choose to take time out to

rest We all have to do many things but being is just as impor-

tant Tis paradox could be described as the difference betweensonship and stewardship We must learn how to serve the Lord

but we must also explore how to be a son of God God doesnrsquot

want to treat you like a slavemdashHe wants to treat you like a son

One of my mentors Arthur once asked me ldquoGraham do

you want to be a servant of the Lordrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo I answered

ldquoTen donrsquot get upset if He treats you like onerdquo Arthur saidSometimes God commands and I obey Other times He

makes a request of me because He wants to treat me like His

son Christians need to know how to live life as both a servant

and a son Being a son means God gets the best of our day not

just the tail end Te Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a

man who knew how to be both a servant and a son as we read

in Ephesians 983089983089983093-983090983091Terefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ the Father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 6: The Language of Promise

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VI

GRAHAM COOKE

Never doubt that you are absolutely and completely loved

by God You are His beloved Your role in life is to receive thatlove return it to Him and pass it along to everyone around you

Itrsquos a tough job I know but someonersquos got to do it Love Him

with everything in youmdashit all belongs to Him anyway And

love anyone you come into contact with anyone within touch-

ing distance It doesnrsquot matter what yoursquore doing where yoursquore

going or who yoursquore meetingmdashyou are called to love others It

is irrelevant whether they are Christian or pre-Christian theyare your neighbors and you are called to touch them with the

love of God

God has taken the lead in this He has come to each and

every one of us and poured His love into our spirits I love you

with all of My heart all of My soul all of My mind and all of My

strength Everything in Me is dedicated to loving you Irsquove poured

this love into you and yoursquore going to have the pleasure of giving itback to Me

Tis is our greatest blessing we are loved passionately by

God

Graham Cooke

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VII

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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VIII

GRAHAM COOKE

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IX

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

THE

LANGUAGEOF PROMISE

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1

GRAHAM COOKE

IN YOUR BEGINNING

Love is a topic that has been explored pondered consid-

ered and written about for as long as humans have been around

It has been looked at from almost every angle and is an expe-

riential common ground for humanity everyone understands

the feeling of love Many however have a distorted view ofthe power of love Tey have tried to capture it without seek-

ing out its origin God

Te Apostle John understood well where love originated

ldquoWe love because He first loved usrdquo he wrote in 983089 John 983092983089983097 Before

we were saved most of us were going through life completely

oblivious to who God really is One day suddenly and miracu-

lously God invaded our world taking the initiative and reach-ing out to us in love We responded by returning that love to

Him and found ourselves walking in salvation

Te way that we begin life in God is the same way that life

continues with Him God took the initial step He loved us first

He came looking for us spoke to us sent those weird people

to share the gospel with us We looked at those strange people

that were sent into our lives and thought ldquoWow they seem abit out of step with the real worldrdquo But there was something

that drew us God Himself

Our relationship with God is sustained by the same force

of love by which it was birthed God doesnrsquot stop taking the ini-

tiative the moment we are saved He is continually our Lover

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2

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

and we are continually His

beloved Our job is to beloved by God only God can

love God He comes into

our lives and fills them with

hope faith and love Tat

pure love does something inside of us which we give back to

Him

GODrsquoS LANGUAGE IS LOVE

God adores us because He wants our adoration God loves

us because He wants our love God speaks to us by His love

Tis is the language we need to hear from the Lord so that we

can speak it back to Him Itrsquos a glorious cyclemdashGod takes the

initiative by loving us and we return that love to Him God can

say nothing without using this language of love

What is true in the natural is also true by the Spirit Isaiah

described this beautifully in 983093983093983097-983089983089 (983118983105983123983106)

For as the heavens are higher than the earthSo are My ways higher than your ways

And My thoughts than your thoughts

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven And

do not return there without watering the earth

ldquoLIFE IS TO BE FORTIFIED BY

MANY FRIENDSHIPS TO LOVE AND

TO BE LOVED IS THE GREATEST

HAPPINESS OF EXISTENCErdquo

SYDNEY SMITH

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3

GRAHAM COOKE

And making it bear and sprout

And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth

It will not return to Me empty

Without accomplishing what I desire

And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it

Godrsquos promise is as inevitable as rain falling His words

water our lives making us fruitful and productive We returnthis blessing through our words of praise and thanksgiving our

testimony and witness to His Nature and also by our actions

that may bring glory to the Lord

James put it a different way but it is still the same theme

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above

coming down from the Father of lights with whom there

is no variation or shifting shadow In the exercise of Hiswill He brought us forth by the word of truth so that

we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures

(James 983089983089983095-983089983096 983118983105983123983106)

Everything that is good and right comes from a Father who

never changes It is His consistency and faithfulness that is the

bedrock of our ability to receive It simply does not depend uponus He is the origin the cause the motive and the source of

every gift It will always be this way He is the Beginning and the

Ending for all of us for all time His passion is to make each of

us a joyful carrier of His word through His promises so that we

may enjoy the certainty of our receiving His gifts and goodness

8172019 The Language of Promise

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4

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tink of it we are the first fruits of His huge desire to have

a people represent His Excellence Our role in the Earth is toproclaim the fact of Godrsquos outstanding goodness by living the

life of promise that He has set aside for us All Godrsquos promises

are yes And amen in Christ Jesus Paul put it this way in his

letter to the church in Rome

hellipwho has first given to Him that it might be paid back to

Him again For from Him and through Him and to Him

are all things o Him be the glory forever Amen(Romans 983089983089983091983093-983091983094 983118983105983123983106)

It is not possible for us to initiate anything with God Paul

asks who has ever given to God first God initiates we respond

by receiving and then we give back to God the very thing He

gave us in the first place From through and to Him are all

things Everything He wants from us He gives to usTis is amazing wonderful outrageous and mind-bog-

gling stuff Tis means that when the Holy Spirit convicts me

of something He is also relaying the Fatherrsquos willingness to

supply what I lack Terefore

CONVICTION REGARDING OUR INABILITY TO PRAY ALSO

RELEASED THE PROMISE THAT HE WILL HELP US

STRUGGLING WITH UNCLEAN THOUGHTS CONVICTION ALSOBRINGS WITH IT THE PROMISE OF PURITY

PROBLEMS WITH DOUBT983084 UNBELIEF WITH CONVICTION THE

LORD SEEKS TO INITIATE FAITH

Get the message Te promise releases the gift Conviction

seeks to re-establish the divine order Te Holy Spirit points

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5

GRAHAM COOKE

out our need and the provision at the same time Conviction

restores us to being open to the goodness of God From Himthrough Him and to Him are all thingshellipmarvelous

Each of us must see ourselves in that cycle in the man-

ner that the Father has declared o live as part of His cycle of

life we must understand that all of His language to us is full

of promise to us He delights to speak to us and is blessed by

our expectancy

Te tragedy of modern Christianity is that much of it isperformance-oriented We think we have to do something to

get something from God ldquoGod canrsquot possibly like me because

Irsquom not doing anythingrdquo

we say ldquoGod canrsquot love me

I donrsquot pray enough I donrsquot

give enough I donrsquot wor-

ship enough I donrsquot readenoughrdquo But how much

is actually enough We

shouldnrsquot be constantly quantifying ldquoenoughrdquo but we should

be serving God because He loves us Present-day Christians are

quick to fall into the same trap Martha did in Luke 983089983088 think-

ing that we have to prove ourselves worthy of a relationship

with Jesus Being Mary and basking in Jesusrsquo love is a severechallenge for us

Te language of love is something we must all learn We

have to understand how God sees us so that we can see Him

more clearly God loves us and because He loves us we want

to talk to Him Everything we can give to God comes from

ldquoLOVE IS BUT T HE DISCOVERY OF

OURSELVES IN OTHERS983084 AND THE

DELIGHT IN THE RECOGNITIONrdquo

ALEXANDER SMITH

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6

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Him in the first place It begins and ends with God because

intimacy is a cycleIn the natural world we see many examples of this type

of cycle Water falls from the sky and returns to the heavens

by the process of evaporation Te moon does not generate its

own light but reflects the light of the sun in the night sky Te

image in a mirror is nothing more than a reflection of the actual

object Likewise our love for God is a reflection of His love for

us Love begins and ends with GodWe cannot love God on our own initiative but we can give

back that which He has bestowed on us When the Father of

Lights gives us a gift that touches our heart it does something

inside of us We end up returning to God the very thing He has

given us o love God we must be loved by God Itrsquos a wonder-

ful thing to go through our entire lives being loved by God We

are condemned to be loved by Him forever We canrsquot escape itWe have no alternative but to put up with it this is who God is

Parents know an example of this principle when our chil-

dren were growing up and our birthday was approaching most

of us gave them money to buy us a present How do we know

how to do this It is in our 983108983118983105 God is the same way His love

is the currency He gives us so that we can love Him more fully

He gives to us the very thing He wants from us

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7

GRAHAM COOKE

POSSESSED BY GOD

God chose us so that He could be Himself with us He wants

us to see Him as He really is and to fall in love with Him the

same way He has fallen in love with us In our relationship we

must come to a place of mutual declaration as He and the Isra-

elites did in Deuteronomy 983090983094983089983094-983089983097 (983118983113983126)Te 983116983119983122983108 your God commands you this day to fol-

low these decrees and laws carefully observe them

with all your heart and with all your soul

You have declared this day that the 983116983119983122983108 is your God

and that you will walk in his ways that you will keep his

decrees commands and laws and that you will obey him And the 983116983119983122983108 has declared this day that you are his

people his treasured possession as he promised and

that you are to keep all his commands He has declared

that he will set you in praise fame and honor high

above all the nations he has made and that you will be

a people holy to the 983116983119983122983108 your God as he promised

God declares to the Israelites His laws and they in return

declared that they would follow them It was a breakthrough

moment for Israel Just outside of the Promised Land with

their leader Moses winding down his life they finally came to

a point of mutual declaration with God Tis passage actually

8172019 The Language of Promise

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8

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

fulfilled a prophetic conversation Moses and God had shared

forty years earlier in Exodus 983089983097983091-983094 And Moses went up to God and the 983116983119983122983108 called to him from

the mountain saying ldquoTus you shall say to the house of

Jacob and tell the children of Israel lsquoYou have seen what I

did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eaglesrsquo wings

and brought you to Myself Now therefore if you will indeed

obey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be a

special treasure to Me above all people for all the earth is Mine And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a

holy nationrsquo Tese are the words which you shall speak to

the children of Israelrdquo

Moses and Israel had been out of Egypt for just three

months when God spoke these words Te words ldquospecial trea-

surerdquo can also be interpreted as ldquopossessionrdquo ldquoIf you will indeedobey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be My

possessionrdquo God was saying ldquoTe whole earth is Mine but you

will be My special treasurerdquo Tose simple words began a pro-

phetic theme from the heart of God which has echoed through

countless generations

Tis original prophetic blessing was updated and expanded

in Deuteronomy 983095983094-983097For you are a holy people to the 983116983119983122983108 your God the 983116983119983122983108

your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself a spe-

cial treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth

Te 983116983119983122983108 did not set His love on you nor choose you because

you were more in number than any other people for you

8172019 The Language of Promise

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9

GRAHAM COOKE

were the least of all peoples but because the 983116983119983122983108 loves

you and because He would keep the oath which He sworeto your fathers the 983116983119983122983108

has brought you out

with a mighty hand and

redeemed you from the

house of bondage from

the hand of Pharaoh king

of Egypt Terefore knowthat the 983116983119983122983108 your God

He is God the faithful

God who keeps covenant

and mercy for a thou-

sand generations with those who love Him and keep His

commandments

We have been chosen as Godrsquos special treasure not because

of who we are but because of who God is His love cuts away all

of our performance-oriented mentality God chose you because

of who He is He chose you because of what He is like You

werenrsquot chosen because you are deserving or clever or brilliant

or handsome or noble or even good He chose you because He

is good Out of His love and His promises you were selectedas His treasure Godrsquos faithfulness has been the bedrock of His

dealings with humanity throughout time God cannot changemdash

He cannot be anything other than who He is

ldquoEVERYBODY CAN BE GREAThellip

BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN SERVE

YOU DONrsquoT HAVE TO HAVE A

COLLEG E DEG REE TO SERV E

Y O U D O N rsquo T H A V E T O M A K E

YOUR SUBJECT AND VERB AGREE

TO SERVE YOU ONLY NEED A

HEART FULL OF GRACE983084 A SOUL

GENERATED BY LOVErdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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11

GRAHAM COOKE

Learning to cohabit with God takes time Te pressure of

ministry is intense it can stress us out make us sick even killus unless we know how to rest in the Lord It takes discipline

to bring ourselves to a place of peace before God but it is abso-

lutely necessary to do so It has taken years of practice for me

but on most days I can bring myself to that place of peace

in five or ten seconds It no longer matters what is swirling

around me or threatening me I can still myself before God I

have to I need to be quiet to hear His voice God loves to speakin whispers He rarely answers prayers at the same decibel level

at which they are prayed

ldquoFatherrdquo we can shout at Him ldquoI need to hear Your voicerdquo

ldquoI knowrdquo He whispers back

ldquoSpeak to merdquo we bellow at the top of our lungs

ldquoI amrdquo He whispers

ldquoI need to hear Your voice todayrdquo we blareldquoShut up and listenrdquo He whispers

ldquoBe still and know that I am Godrdquo says Psalm 983092983094983089983088 Medi-

tation is another avenue towards cohabitation with God Te

western church must learn to meditate setting time aside to

think deeply about God It doesnrsquot have to be long just fifteen

minutes or half-an-hour but the more you do it the more time

yoursquoll want to give to Him I love meditatingMeditation and stillness flow into an upgrade of our peace

I spend a lot of time on peace with the people I disciple I con-

stantly confront them on the issue of peace in their lives I

donrsquot expect them to worry or panic at the same level next year

as they did this year Teir peace must increase and anxiety

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12

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

decrease Peace is a vital fruit

of the SpiritWithout an upgrade in our

capacity to rest in the Lord

we find ourselves running on

adrenaline Tatrsquos okay for a

while but for every adrenaline

high therersquos an adrenaline low Often people get down and

depressed because they have been running on adrenaline andtheyrsquove run out Itrsquos not the pressure of life that gets to us itrsquos

the pressure of how we run it

Peace though is an equalizing pressure If the world is

throwing a thousand pounds of pressure at you from the out-

side peace sends a thousand and one pounds from the inside

Irsquom under pressure wherever I gomdashintense pressure in most

places Everyone wants to see me and talk to me and pull at meand get prayer from me I donrsquot mind itrsquos my job o survive

I have learned to be at peace My rest in God gives me space

Eventually adrenaline will rob our mind and body and will

leave us exhausted Itrsquos okay to be tired in the work but itrsquos not

okay to be tired of the work We must learn to give ourselves

to peace rest and meditation We can operate at the highest

level for many years if we have developed ourselves internallyin preparation

IF THE WORLD IS THROWING

A THOUSA ND P OUNDS OF

PRESSURE AT YOU FROM THE

OUTSIDE983084 P EA CE SENDS A

THOUSAND AND ONE POUNDS

FROM THE INSIDE

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13

GRAHAM COOKE

SONSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

We live our lives in the tension of a paradox between being

and doing Te key to succeeding in this quandary is to always

choose being over doing We must choose to take time out to

rest We all have to do many things but being is just as impor-

tant Tis paradox could be described as the difference betweensonship and stewardship We must learn how to serve the Lord

but we must also explore how to be a son of God God doesnrsquot

want to treat you like a slavemdashHe wants to treat you like a son

One of my mentors Arthur once asked me ldquoGraham do

you want to be a servant of the Lordrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo I answered

ldquoTen donrsquot get upset if He treats you like onerdquo Arthur saidSometimes God commands and I obey Other times He

makes a request of me because He wants to treat me like His

son Christians need to know how to live life as both a servant

and a son Being a son means God gets the best of our day not

just the tail end Te Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a

man who knew how to be both a servant and a son as we read

in Ephesians 983089983089983093-983090983091Terefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ the Father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 7: The Language of Promise

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VII

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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VIII

GRAHAM COOKE

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IX

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

THE

LANGUAGEOF PROMISE

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1

GRAHAM COOKE

IN YOUR BEGINNING

Love is a topic that has been explored pondered consid-

ered and written about for as long as humans have been around

It has been looked at from almost every angle and is an expe-

riential common ground for humanity everyone understands

the feeling of love Many however have a distorted view ofthe power of love Tey have tried to capture it without seek-

ing out its origin God

Te Apostle John understood well where love originated

ldquoWe love because He first loved usrdquo he wrote in 983089 John 983092983089983097 Before

we were saved most of us were going through life completely

oblivious to who God really is One day suddenly and miracu-

lously God invaded our world taking the initiative and reach-ing out to us in love We responded by returning that love to

Him and found ourselves walking in salvation

Te way that we begin life in God is the same way that life

continues with Him God took the initial step He loved us first

He came looking for us spoke to us sent those weird people

to share the gospel with us We looked at those strange people

that were sent into our lives and thought ldquoWow they seem abit out of step with the real worldrdquo But there was something

that drew us God Himself

Our relationship with God is sustained by the same force

of love by which it was birthed God doesnrsquot stop taking the ini-

tiative the moment we are saved He is continually our Lover

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2

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

and we are continually His

beloved Our job is to beloved by God only God can

love God He comes into

our lives and fills them with

hope faith and love Tat

pure love does something inside of us which we give back to

Him

GODrsquoS LANGUAGE IS LOVE

God adores us because He wants our adoration God loves

us because He wants our love God speaks to us by His love

Tis is the language we need to hear from the Lord so that we

can speak it back to Him Itrsquos a glorious cyclemdashGod takes the

initiative by loving us and we return that love to Him God can

say nothing without using this language of love

What is true in the natural is also true by the Spirit Isaiah

described this beautifully in 983093983093983097-983089983089 (983118983105983123983106)

For as the heavens are higher than the earthSo are My ways higher than your ways

And My thoughts than your thoughts

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven And

do not return there without watering the earth

ldquoLIFE IS TO BE FORTIFIED BY

MANY FRIENDSHIPS TO LOVE AND

TO BE LOVED IS THE GREATEST

HAPPINESS OF EXISTENCErdquo

SYDNEY SMITH

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3

GRAHAM COOKE

And making it bear and sprout

And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth

It will not return to Me empty

Without accomplishing what I desire

And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it

Godrsquos promise is as inevitable as rain falling His words

water our lives making us fruitful and productive We returnthis blessing through our words of praise and thanksgiving our

testimony and witness to His Nature and also by our actions

that may bring glory to the Lord

James put it a different way but it is still the same theme

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above

coming down from the Father of lights with whom there

is no variation or shifting shadow In the exercise of Hiswill He brought us forth by the word of truth so that

we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures

(James 983089983089983095-983089983096 983118983105983123983106)

Everything that is good and right comes from a Father who

never changes It is His consistency and faithfulness that is the

bedrock of our ability to receive It simply does not depend uponus He is the origin the cause the motive and the source of

every gift It will always be this way He is the Beginning and the

Ending for all of us for all time His passion is to make each of

us a joyful carrier of His word through His promises so that we

may enjoy the certainty of our receiving His gifts and goodness

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4

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tink of it we are the first fruits of His huge desire to have

a people represent His Excellence Our role in the Earth is toproclaim the fact of Godrsquos outstanding goodness by living the

life of promise that He has set aside for us All Godrsquos promises

are yes And amen in Christ Jesus Paul put it this way in his

letter to the church in Rome

hellipwho has first given to Him that it might be paid back to

Him again For from Him and through Him and to Him

are all things o Him be the glory forever Amen(Romans 983089983089983091983093-983091983094 983118983105983123983106)

It is not possible for us to initiate anything with God Paul

asks who has ever given to God first God initiates we respond

by receiving and then we give back to God the very thing He

gave us in the first place From through and to Him are all

things Everything He wants from us He gives to usTis is amazing wonderful outrageous and mind-bog-

gling stuff Tis means that when the Holy Spirit convicts me

of something He is also relaying the Fatherrsquos willingness to

supply what I lack Terefore

CONVICTION REGARDING OUR INABILITY TO PRAY ALSO

RELEASED THE PROMISE THAT HE WILL HELP US

STRUGGLING WITH UNCLEAN THOUGHTS CONVICTION ALSOBRINGS WITH IT THE PROMISE OF PURITY

PROBLEMS WITH DOUBT983084 UNBELIEF WITH CONVICTION THE

LORD SEEKS TO INITIATE FAITH

Get the message Te promise releases the gift Conviction

seeks to re-establish the divine order Te Holy Spirit points

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5

GRAHAM COOKE

out our need and the provision at the same time Conviction

restores us to being open to the goodness of God From Himthrough Him and to Him are all thingshellipmarvelous

Each of us must see ourselves in that cycle in the man-

ner that the Father has declared o live as part of His cycle of

life we must understand that all of His language to us is full

of promise to us He delights to speak to us and is blessed by

our expectancy

Te tragedy of modern Christianity is that much of it isperformance-oriented We think we have to do something to

get something from God ldquoGod canrsquot possibly like me because

Irsquom not doing anythingrdquo

we say ldquoGod canrsquot love me

I donrsquot pray enough I donrsquot

give enough I donrsquot wor-

ship enough I donrsquot readenoughrdquo But how much

is actually enough We

shouldnrsquot be constantly quantifying ldquoenoughrdquo but we should

be serving God because He loves us Present-day Christians are

quick to fall into the same trap Martha did in Luke 983089983088 think-

ing that we have to prove ourselves worthy of a relationship

with Jesus Being Mary and basking in Jesusrsquo love is a severechallenge for us

Te language of love is something we must all learn We

have to understand how God sees us so that we can see Him

more clearly God loves us and because He loves us we want

to talk to Him Everything we can give to God comes from

ldquoLOVE IS BUT T HE DISCOVERY OF

OURSELVES IN OTHERS983084 AND THE

DELIGHT IN THE RECOGNITIONrdquo

ALEXANDER SMITH

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6

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Him in the first place It begins and ends with God because

intimacy is a cycleIn the natural world we see many examples of this type

of cycle Water falls from the sky and returns to the heavens

by the process of evaporation Te moon does not generate its

own light but reflects the light of the sun in the night sky Te

image in a mirror is nothing more than a reflection of the actual

object Likewise our love for God is a reflection of His love for

us Love begins and ends with GodWe cannot love God on our own initiative but we can give

back that which He has bestowed on us When the Father of

Lights gives us a gift that touches our heart it does something

inside of us We end up returning to God the very thing He has

given us o love God we must be loved by God Itrsquos a wonder-

ful thing to go through our entire lives being loved by God We

are condemned to be loved by Him forever We canrsquot escape itWe have no alternative but to put up with it this is who God is

Parents know an example of this principle when our chil-

dren were growing up and our birthday was approaching most

of us gave them money to buy us a present How do we know

how to do this It is in our 983108983118983105 God is the same way His love

is the currency He gives us so that we can love Him more fully

He gives to us the very thing He wants from us

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7

GRAHAM COOKE

POSSESSED BY GOD

God chose us so that He could be Himself with us He wants

us to see Him as He really is and to fall in love with Him the

same way He has fallen in love with us In our relationship we

must come to a place of mutual declaration as He and the Isra-

elites did in Deuteronomy 983090983094983089983094-983089983097 (983118983113983126)Te 983116983119983122983108 your God commands you this day to fol-

low these decrees and laws carefully observe them

with all your heart and with all your soul

You have declared this day that the 983116983119983122983108 is your God

and that you will walk in his ways that you will keep his

decrees commands and laws and that you will obey him And the 983116983119983122983108 has declared this day that you are his

people his treasured possession as he promised and

that you are to keep all his commands He has declared

that he will set you in praise fame and honor high

above all the nations he has made and that you will be

a people holy to the 983116983119983122983108 your God as he promised

God declares to the Israelites His laws and they in return

declared that they would follow them It was a breakthrough

moment for Israel Just outside of the Promised Land with

their leader Moses winding down his life they finally came to

a point of mutual declaration with God Tis passage actually

8172019 The Language of Promise

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8

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

fulfilled a prophetic conversation Moses and God had shared

forty years earlier in Exodus 983089983097983091-983094 And Moses went up to God and the 983116983119983122983108 called to him from

the mountain saying ldquoTus you shall say to the house of

Jacob and tell the children of Israel lsquoYou have seen what I

did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eaglesrsquo wings

and brought you to Myself Now therefore if you will indeed

obey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be a

special treasure to Me above all people for all the earth is Mine And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a

holy nationrsquo Tese are the words which you shall speak to

the children of Israelrdquo

Moses and Israel had been out of Egypt for just three

months when God spoke these words Te words ldquospecial trea-

surerdquo can also be interpreted as ldquopossessionrdquo ldquoIf you will indeedobey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be My

possessionrdquo God was saying ldquoTe whole earth is Mine but you

will be My special treasurerdquo Tose simple words began a pro-

phetic theme from the heart of God which has echoed through

countless generations

Tis original prophetic blessing was updated and expanded

in Deuteronomy 983095983094-983097For you are a holy people to the 983116983119983122983108 your God the 983116983119983122983108

your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself a spe-

cial treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth

Te 983116983119983122983108 did not set His love on you nor choose you because

you were more in number than any other people for you

8172019 The Language of Promise

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9

GRAHAM COOKE

were the least of all peoples but because the 983116983119983122983108 loves

you and because He would keep the oath which He sworeto your fathers the 983116983119983122983108

has brought you out

with a mighty hand and

redeemed you from the

house of bondage from

the hand of Pharaoh king

of Egypt Terefore knowthat the 983116983119983122983108 your God

He is God the faithful

God who keeps covenant

and mercy for a thou-

sand generations with those who love Him and keep His

commandments

We have been chosen as Godrsquos special treasure not because

of who we are but because of who God is His love cuts away all

of our performance-oriented mentality God chose you because

of who He is He chose you because of what He is like You

werenrsquot chosen because you are deserving or clever or brilliant

or handsome or noble or even good He chose you because He

is good Out of His love and His promises you were selectedas His treasure Godrsquos faithfulness has been the bedrock of His

dealings with humanity throughout time God cannot changemdash

He cannot be anything other than who He is

ldquoEVERYBODY CAN BE GREAThellip

BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN SERVE

YOU DONrsquoT HAVE TO HAVE A

COLLEG E DEG REE TO SERV E

Y O U D O N rsquo T H A V E T O M A K E

YOUR SUBJECT AND VERB AGREE

TO SERVE YOU ONLY NEED A

HEART FULL OF GRACE983084 A SOUL

GENERATED BY LOVErdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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11

GRAHAM COOKE

Learning to cohabit with God takes time Te pressure of

ministry is intense it can stress us out make us sick even killus unless we know how to rest in the Lord It takes discipline

to bring ourselves to a place of peace before God but it is abso-

lutely necessary to do so It has taken years of practice for me

but on most days I can bring myself to that place of peace

in five or ten seconds It no longer matters what is swirling

around me or threatening me I can still myself before God I

have to I need to be quiet to hear His voice God loves to speakin whispers He rarely answers prayers at the same decibel level

at which they are prayed

ldquoFatherrdquo we can shout at Him ldquoI need to hear Your voicerdquo

ldquoI knowrdquo He whispers back

ldquoSpeak to merdquo we bellow at the top of our lungs

ldquoI amrdquo He whispers

ldquoI need to hear Your voice todayrdquo we blareldquoShut up and listenrdquo He whispers

ldquoBe still and know that I am Godrdquo says Psalm 983092983094983089983088 Medi-

tation is another avenue towards cohabitation with God Te

western church must learn to meditate setting time aside to

think deeply about God It doesnrsquot have to be long just fifteen

minutes or half-an-hour but the more you do it the more time

yoursquoll want to give to Him I love meditatingMeditation and stillness flow into an upgrade of our peace

I spend a lot of time on peace with the people I disciple I con-

stantly confront them on the issue of peace in their lives I

donrsquot expect them to worry or panic at the same level next year

as they did this year Teir peace must increase and anxiety

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12

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

decrease Peace is a vital fruit

of the SpiritWithout an upgrade in our

capacity to rest in the Lord

we find ourselves running on

adrenaline Tatrsquos okay for a

while but for every adrenaline

high therersquos an adrenaline low Often people get down and

depressed because they have been running on adrenaline andtheyrsquove run out Itrsquos not the pressure of life that gets to us itrsquos

the pressure of how we run it

Peace though is an equalizing pressure If the world is

throwing a thousand pounds of pressure at you from the out-

side peace sends a thousand and one pounds from the inside

Irsquom under pressure wherever I gomdashintense pressure in most

places Everyone wants to see me and talk to me and pull at meand get prayer from me I donrsquot mind itrsquos my job o survive

I have learned to be at peace My rest in God gives me space

Eventually adrenaline will rob our mind and body and will

leave us exhausted Itrsquos okay to be tired in the work but itrsquos not

okay to be tired of the work We must learn to give ourselves

to peace rest and meditation We can operate at the highest

level for many years if we have developed ourselves internallyin preparation

IF THE WORLD IS THROWING

A THOUSA ND P OUNDS OF

PRESSURE AT YOU FROM THE

OUTSIDE983084 P EA CE SENDS A

THOUSAND AND ONE POUNDS

FROM THE INSIDE

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13

GRAHAM COOKE

SONSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

We live our lives in the tension of a paradox between being

and doing Te key to succeeding in this quandary is to always

choose being over doing We must choose to take time out to

rest We all have to do many things but being is just as impor-

tant Tis paradox could be described as the difference betweensonship and stewardship We must learn how to serve the Lord

but we must also explore how to be a son of God God doesnrsquot

want to treat you like a slavemdashHe wants to treat you like a son

One of my mentors Arthur once asked me ldquoGraham do

you want to be a servant of the Lordrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo I answered

ldquoTen donrsquot get upset if He treats you like onerdquo Arthur saidSometimes God commands and I obey Other times He

makes a request of me because He wants to treat me like His

son Christians need to know how to live life as both a servant

and a son Being a son means God gets the best of our day not

just the tail end Te Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a

man who knew how to be both a servant and a son as we read

in Ephesians 983089983089983093-983090983091Terefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ the Father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 8: The Language of Promise

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VIII

GRAHAM COOKE

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IX

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

THE

LANGUAGEOF PROMISE

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1

GRAHAM COOKE

IN YOUR BEGINNING

Love is a topic that has been explored pondered consid-

ered and written about for as long as humans have been around

It has been looked at from almost every angle and is an expe-

riential common ground for humanity everyone understands

the feeling of love Many however have a distorted view ofthe power of love Tey have tried to capture it without seek-

ing out its origin God

Te Apostle John understood well where love originated

ldquoWe love because He first loved usrdquo he wrote in 983089 John 983092983089983097 Before

we were saved most of us were going through life completely

oblivious to who God really is One day suddenly and miracu-

lously God invaded our world taking the initiative and reach-ing out to us in love We responded by returning that love to

Him and found ourselves walking in salvation

Te way that we begin life in God is the same way that life

continues with Him God took the initial step He loved us first

He came looking for us spoke to us sent those weird people

to share the gospel with us We looked at those strange people

that were sent into our lives and thought ldquoWow they seem abit out of step with the real worldrdquo But there was something

that drew us God Himself

Our relationship with God is sustained by the same force

of love by which it was birthed God doesnrsquot stop taking the ini-

tiative the moment we are saved He is continually our Lover

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2

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

and we are continually His

beloved Our job is to beloved by God only God can

love God He comes into

our lives and fills them with

hope faith and love Tat

pure love does something inside of us which we give back to

Him

GODrsquoS LANGUAGE IS LOVE

God adores us because He wants our adoration God loves

us because He wants our love God speaks to us by His love

Tis is the language we need to hear from the Lord so that we

can speak it back to Him Itrsquos a glorious cyclemdashGod takes the

initiative by loving us and we return that love to Him God can

say nothing without using this language of love

What is true in the natural is also true by the Spirit Isaiah

described this beautifully in 983093983093983097-983089983089 (983118983105983123983106)

For as the heavens are higher than the earthSo are My ways higher than your ways

And My thoughts than your thoughts

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven And

do not return there without watering the earth

ldquoLIFE IS TO BE FORTIFIED BY

MANY FRIENDSHIPS TO LOVE AND

TO BE LOVED IS THE GREATEST

HAPPINESS OF EXISTENCErdquo

SYDNEY SMITH

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3

GRAHAM COOKE

And making it bear and sprout

And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth

It will not return to Me empty

Without accomplishing what I desire

And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it

Godrsquos promise is as inevitable as rain falling His words

water our lives making us fruitful and productive We returnthis blessing through our words of praise and thanksgiving our

testimony and witness to His Nature and also by our actions

that may bring glory to the Lord

James put it a different way but it is still the same theme

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above

coming down from the Father of lights with whom there

is no variation or shifting shadow In the exercise of Hiswill He brought us forth by the word of truth so that

we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures

(James 983089983089983095-983089983096 983118983105983123983106)

Everything that is good and right comes from a Father who

never changes It is His consistency and faithfulness that is the

bedrock of our ability to receive It simply does not depend uponus He is the origin the cause the motive and the source of

every gift It will always be this way He is the Beginning and the

Ending for all of us for all time His passion is to make each of

us a joyful carrier of His word through His promises so that we

may enjoy the certainty of our receiving His gifts and goodness

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4

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tink of it we are the first fruits of His huge desire to have

a people represent His Excellence Our role in the Earth is toproclaim the fact of Godrsquos outstanding goodness by living the

life of promise that He has set aside for us All Godrsquos promises

are yes And amen in Christ Jesus Paul put it this way in his

letter to the church in Rome

hellipwho has first given to Him that it might be paid back to

Him again For from Him and through Him and to Him

are all things o Him be the glory forever Amen(Romans 983089983089983091983093-983091983094 983118983105983123983106)

It is not possible for us to initiate anything with God Paul

asks who has ever given to God first God initiates we respond

by receiving and then we give back to God the very thing He

gave us in the first place From through and to Him are all

things Everything He wants from us He gives to usTis is amazing wonderful outrageous and mind-bog-

gling stuff Tis means that when the Holy Spirit convicts me

of something He is also relaying the Fatherrsquos willingness to

supply what I lack Terefore

CONVICTION REGARDING OUR INABILITY TO PRAY ALSO

RELEASED THE PROMISE THAT HE WILL HELP US

STRUGGLING WITH UNCLEAN THOUGHTS CONVICTION ALSOBRINGS WITH IT THE PROMISE OF PURITY

PROBLEMS WITH DOUBT983084 UNBELIEF WITH CONVICTION THE

LORD SEEKS TO INITIATE FAITH

Get the message Te promise releases the gift Conviction

seeks to re-establish the divine order Te Holy Spirit points

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5

GRAHAM COOKE

out our need and the provision at the same time Conviction

restores us to being open to the goodness of God From Himthrough Him and to Him are all thingshellipmarvelous

Each of us must see ourselves in that cycle in the man-

ner that the Father has declared o live as part of His cycle of

life we must understand that all of His language to us is full

of promise to us He delights to speak to us and is blessed by

our expectancy

Te tragedy of modern Christianity is that much of it isperformance-oriented We think we have to do something to

get something from God ldquoGod canrsquot possibly like me because

Irsquom not doing anythingrdquo

we say ldquoGod canrsquot love me

I donrsquot pray enough I donrsquot

give enough I donrsquot wor-

ship enough I donrsquot readenoughrdquo But how much

is actually enough We

shouldnrsquot be constantly quantifying ldquoenoughrdquo but we should

be serving God because He loves us Present-day Christians are

quick to fall into the same trap Martha did in Luke 983089983088 think-

ing that we have to prove ourselves worthy of a relationship

with Jesus Being Mary and basking in Jesusrsquo love is a severechallenge for us

Te language of love is something we must all learn We

have to understand how God sees us so that we can see Him

more clearly God loves us and because He loves us we want

to talk to Him Everything we can give to God comes from

ldquoLOVE IS BUT T HE DISCOVERY OF

OURSELVES IN OTHERS983084 AND THE

DELIGHT IN THE RECOGNITIONrdquo

ALEXANDER SMITH

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6

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Him in the first place It begins and ends with God because

intimacy is a cycleIn the natural world we see many examples of this type

of cycle Water falls from the sky and returns to the heavens

by the process of evaporation Te moon does not generate its

own light but reflects the light of the sun in the night sky Te

image in a mirror is nothing more than a reflection of the actual

object Likewise our love for God is a reflection of His love for

us Love begins and ends with GodWe cannot love God on our own initiative but we can give

back that which He has bestowed on us When the Father of

Lights gives us a gift that touches our heart it does something

inside of us We end up returning to God the very thing He has

given us o love God we must be loved by God Itrsquos a wonder-

ful thing to go through our entire lives being loved by God We

are condemned to be loved by Him forever We canrsquot escape itWe have no alternative but to put up with it this is who God is

Parents know an example of this principle when our chil-

dren were growing up and our birthday was approaching most

of us gave them money to buy us a present How do we know

how to do this It is in our 983108983118983105 God is the same way His love

is the currency He gives us so that we can love Him more fully

He gives to us the very thing He wants from us

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7

GRAHAM COOKE

POSSESSED BY GOD

God chose us so that He could be Himself with us He wants

us to see Him as He really is and to fall in love with Him the

same way He has fallen in love with us In our relationship we

must come to a place of mutual declaration as He and the Isra-

elites did in Deuteronomy 983090983094983089983094-983089983097 (983118983113983126)Te 983116983119983122983108 your God commands you this day to fol-

low these decrees and laws carefully observe them

with all your heart and with all your soul

You have declared this day that the 983116983119983122983108 is your God

and that you will walk in his ways that you will keep his

decrees commands and laws and that you will obey him And the 983116983119983122983108 has declared this day that you are his

people his treasured possession as he promised and

that you are to keep all his commands He has declared

that he will set you in praise fame and honor high

above all the nations he has made and that you will be

a people holy to the 983116983119983122983108 your God as he promised

God declares to the Israelites His laws and they in return

declared that they would follow them It was a breakthrough

moment for Israel Just outside of the Promised Land with

their leader Moses winding down his life they finally came to

a point of mutual declaration with God Tis passage actually

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8

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

fulfilled a prophetic conversation Moses and God had shared

forty years earlier in Exodus 983089983097983091-983094 And Moses went up to God and the 983116983119983122983108 called to him from

the mountain saying ldquoTus you shall say to the house of

Jacob and tell the children of Israel lsquoYou have seen what I

did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eaglesrsquo wings

and brought you to Myself Now therefore if you will indeed

obey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be a

special treasure to Me above all people for all the earth is Mine And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a

holy nationrsquo Tese are the words which you shall speak to

the children of Israelrdquo

Moses and Israel had been out of Egypt for just three

months when God spoke these words Te words ldquospecial trea-

surerdquo can also be interpreted as ldquopossessionrdquo ldquoIf you will indeedobey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be My

possessionrdquo God was saying ldquoTe whole earth is Mine but you

will be My special treasurerdquo Tose simple words began a pro-

phetic theme from the heart of God which has echoed through

countless generations

Tis original prophetic blessing was updated and expanded

in Deuteronomy 983095983094-983097For you are a holy people to the 983116983119983122983108 your God the 983116983119983122983108

your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself a spe-

cial treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth

Te 983116983119983122983108 did not set His love on you nor choose you because

you were more in number than any other people for you

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9

GRAHAM COOKE

were the least of all peoples but because the 983116983119983122983108 loves

you and because He would keep the oath which He sworeto your fathers the 983116983119983122983108

has brought you out

with a mighty hand and

redeemed you from the

house of bondage from

the hand of Pharaoh king

of Egypt Terefore knowthat the 983116983119983122983108 your God

He is God the faithful

God who keeps covenant

and mercy for a thou-

sand generations with those who love Him and keep His

commandments

We have been chosen as Godrsquos special treasure not because

of who we are but because of who God is His love cuts away all

of our performance-oriented mentality God chose you because

of who He is He chose you because of what He is like You

werenrsquot chosen because you are deserving or clever or brilliant

or handsome or noble or even good He chose you because He

is good Out of His love and His promises you were selectedas His treasure Godrsquos faithfulness has been the bedrock of His

dealings with humanity throughout time God cannot changemdash

He cannot be anything other than who He is

ldquoEVERYBODY CAN BE GREAThellip

BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN SERVE

YOU DONrsquoT HAVE TO HAVE A

COLLEG E DEG REE TO SERV E

Y O U D O N rsquo T H A V E T O M A K E

YOUR SUBJECT AND VERB AGREE

TO SERVE YOU ONLY NEED A

HEART FULL OF GRACE983084 A SOUL

GENERATED BY LOVErdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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11

GRAHAM COOKE

Learning to cohabit with God takes time Te pressure of

ministry is intense it can stress us out make us sick even killus unless we know how to rest in the Lord It takes discipline

to bring ourselves to a place of peace before God but it is abso-

lutely necessary to do so It has taken years of practice for me

but on most days I can bring myself to that place of peace

in five or ten seconds It no longer matters what is swirling

around me or threatening me I can still myself before God I

have to I need to be quiet to hear His voice God loves to speakin whispers He rarely answers prayers at the same decibel level

at which they are prayed

ldquoFatherrdquo we can shout at Him ldquoI need to hear Your voicerdquo

ldquoI knowrdquo He whispers back

ldquoSpeak to merdquo we bellow at the top of our lungs

ldquoI amrdquo He whispers

ldquoI need to hear Your voice todayrdquo we blareldquoShut up and listenrdquo He whispers

ldquoBe still and know that I am Godrdquo says Psalm 983092983094983089983088 Medi-

tation is another avenue towards cohabitation with God Te

western church must learn to meditate setting time aside to

think deeply about God It doesnrsquot have to be long just fifteen

minutes or half-an-hour but the more you do it the more time

yoursquoll want to give to Him I love meditatingMeditation and stillness flow into an upgrade of our peace

I spend a lot of time on peace with the people I disciple I con-

stantly confront them on the issue of peace in their lives I

donrsquot expect them to worry or panic at the same level next year

as they did this year Teir peace must increase and anxiety

8172019 The Language of Promise

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12

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

decrease Peace is a vital fruit

of the SpiritWithout an upgrade in our

capacity to rest in the Lord

we find ourselves running on

adrenaline Tatrsquos okay for a

while but for every adrenaline

high therersquos an adrenaline low Often people get down and

depressed because they have been running on adrenaline andtheyrsquove run out Itrsquos not the pressure of life that gets to us itrsquos

the pressure of how we run it

Peace though is an equalizing pressure If the world is

throwing a thousand pounds of pressure at you from the out-

side peace sends a thousand and one pounds from the inside

Irsquom under pressure wherever I gomdashintense pressure in most

places Everyone wants to see me and talk to me and pull at meand get prayer from me I donrsquot mind itrsquos my job o survive

I have learned to be at peace My rest in God gives me space

Eventually adrenaline will rob our mind and body and will

leave us exhausted Itrsquos okay to be tired in the work but itrsquos not

okay to be tired of the work We must learn to give ourselves

to peace rest and meditation We can operate at the highest

level for many years if we have developed ourselves internallyin preparation

IF THE WORLD IS THROWING

A THOUSA ND P OUNDS OF

PRESSURE AT YOU FROM THE

OUTSIDE983084 P EA CE SENDS A

THOUSAND AND ONE POUNDS

FROM THE INSIDE

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13

GRAHAM COOKE

SONSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

We live our lives in the tension of a paradox between being

and doing Te key to succeeding in this quandary is to always

choose being over doing We must choose to take time out to

rest We all have to do many things but being is just as impor-

tant Tis paradox could be described as the difference betweensonship and stewardship We must learn how to serve the Lord

but we must also explore how to be a son of God God doesnrsquot

want to treat you like a slavemdashHe wants to treat you like a son

One of my mentors Arthur once asked me ldquoGraham do

you want to be a servant of the Lordrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo I answered

ldquoTen donrsquot get upset if He treats you like onerdquo Arthur saidSometimes God commands and I obey Other times He

makes a request of me because He wants to treat me like His

son Christians need to know how to live life as both a servant

and a son Being a son means God gets the best of our day not

just the tail end Te Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a

man who knew how to be both a servant and a son as we read

in Ephesians 983089983089983093-983090983091Terefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ the Father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 9: The Language of Promise

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IX

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

THE

LANGUAGEOF PROMISE

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1

GRAHAM COOKE

IN YOUR BEGINNING

Love is a topic that has been explored pondered consid-

ered and written about for as long as humans have been around

It has been looked at from almost every angle and is an expe-

riential common ground for humanity everyone understands

the feeling of love Many however have a distorted view ofthe power of love Tey have tried to capture it without seek-

ing out its origin God

Te Apostle John understood well where love originated

ldquoWe love because He first loved usrdquo he wrote in 983089 John 983092983089983097 Before

we were saved most of us were going through life completely

oblivious to who God really is One day suddenly and miracu-

lously God invaded our world taking the initiative and reach-ing out to us in love We responded by returning that love to

Him and found ourselves walking in salvation

Te way that we begin life in God is the same way that life

continues with Him God took the initial step He loved us first

He came looking for us spoke to us sent those weird people

to share the gospel with us We looked at those strange people

that were sent into our lives and thought ldquoWow they seem abit out of step with the real worldrdquo But there was something

that drew us God Himself

Our relationship with God is sustained by the same force

of love by which it was birthed God doesnrsquot stop taking the ini-

tiative the moment we are saved He is continually our Lover

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2

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

and we are continually His

beloved Our job is to beloved by God only God can

love God He comes into

our lives and fills them with

hope faith and love Tat

pure love does something inside of us which we give back to

Him

GODrsquoS LANGUAGE IS LOVE

God adores us because He wants our adoration God loves

us because He wants our love God speaks to us by His love

Tis is the language we need to hear from the Lord so that we

can speak it back to Him Itrsquos a glorious cyclemdashGod takes the

initiative by loving us and we return that love to Him God can

say nothing without using this language of love

What is true in the natural is also true by the Spirit Isaiah

described this beautifully in 983093983093983097-983089983089 (983118983105983123983106)

For as the heavens are higher than the earthSo are My ways higher than your ways

And My thoughts than your thoughts

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven And

do not return there without watering the earth

ldquoLIFE IS TO BE FORTIFIED BY

MANY FRIENDSHIPS TO LOVE AND

TO BE LOVED IS THE GREATEST

HAPPINESS OF EXISTENCErdquo

SYDNEY SMITH

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3

GRAHAM COOKE

And making it bear and sprout

And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth

It will not return to Me empty

Without accomplishing what I desire

And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it

Godrsquos promise is as inevitable as rain falling His words

water our lives making us fruitful and productive We returnthis blessing through our words of praise and thanksgiving our

testimony and witness to His Nature and also by our actions

that may bring glory to the Lord

James put it a different way but it is still the same theme

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above

coming down from the Father of lights with whom there

is no variation or shifting shadow In the exercise of Hiswill He brought us forth by the word of truth so that

we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures

(James 983089983089983095-983089983096 983118983105983123983106)

Everything that is good and right comes from a Father who

never changes It is His consistency and faithfulness that is the

bedrock of our ability to receive It simply does not depend uponus He is the origin the cause the motive and the source of

every gift It will always be this way He is the Beginning and the

Ending for all of us for all time His passion is to make each of

us a joyful carrier of His word through His promises so that we

may enjoy the certainty of our receiving His gifts and goodness

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4

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tink of it we are the first fruits of His huge desire to have

a people represent His Excellence Our role in the Earth is toproclaim the fact of Godrsquos outstanding goodness by living the

life of promise that He has set aside for us All Godrsquos promises

are yes And amen in Christ Jesus Paul put it this way in his

letter to the church in Rome

hellipwho has first given to Him that it might be paid back to

Him again For from Him and through Him and to Him

are all things o Him be the glory forever Amen(Romans 983089983089983091983093-983091983094 983118983105983123983106)

It is not possible for us to initiate anything with God Paul

asks who has ever given to God first God initiates we respond

by receiving and then we give back to God the very thing He

gave us in the first place From through and to Him are all

things Everything He wants from us He gives to usTis is amazing wonderful outrageous and mind-bog-

gling stuff Tis means that when the Holy Spirit convicts me

of something He is also relaying the Fatherrsquos willingness to

supply what I lack Terefore

CONVICTION REGARDING OUR INABILITY TO PRAY ALSO

RELEASED THE PROMISE THAT HE WILL HELP US

STRUGGLING WITH UNCLEAN THOUGHTS CONVICTION ALSOBRINGS WITH IT THE PROMISE OF PURITY

PROBLEMS WITH DOUBT983084 UNBELIEF WITH CONVICTION THE

LORD SEEKS TO INITIATE FAITH

Get the message Te promise releases the gift Conviction

seeks to re-establish the divine order Te Holy Spirit points

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5

GRAHAM COOKE

out our need and the provision at the same time Conviction

restores us to being open to the goodness of God From Himthrough Him and to Him are all thingshellipmarvelous

Each of us must see ourselves in that cycle in the man-

ner that the Father has declared o live as part of His cycle of

life we must understand that all of His language to us is full

of promise to us He delights to speak to us and is blessed by

our expectancy

Te tragedy of modern Christianity is that much of it isperformance-oriented We think we have to do something to

get something from God ldquoGod canrsquot possibly like me because

Irsquom not doing anythingrdquo

we say ldquoGod canrsquot love me

I donrsquot pray enough I donrsquot

give enough I donrsquot wor-

ship enough I donrsquot readenoughrdquo But how much

is actually enough We

shouldnrsquot be constantly quantifying ldquoenoughrdquo but we should

be serving God because He loves us Present-day Christians are

quick to fall into the same trap Martha did in Luke 983089983088 think-

ing that we have to prove ourselves worthy of a relationship

with Jesus Being Mary and basking in Jesusrsquo love is a severechallenge for us

Te language of love is something we must all learn We

have to understand how God sees us so that we can see Him

more clearly God loves us and because He loves us we want

to talk to Him Everything we can give to God comes from

ldquoLOVE IS BUT T HE DISCOVERY OF

OURSELVES IN OTHERS983084 AND THE

DELIGHT IN THE RECOGNITIONrdquo

ALEXANDER SMITH

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6

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Him in the first place It begins and ends with God because

intimacy is a cycleIn the natural world we see many examples of this type

of cycle Water falls from the sky and returns to the heavens

by the process of evaporation Te moon does not generate its

own light but reflects the light of the sun in the night sky Te

image in a mirror is nothing more than a reflection of the actual

object Likewise our love for God is a reflection of His love for

us Love begins and ends with GodWe cannot love God on our own initiative but we can give

back that which He has bestowed on us When the Father of

Lights gives us a gift that touches our heart it does something

inside of us We end up returning to God the very thing He has

given us o love God we must be loved by God Itrsquos a wonder-

ful thing to go through our entire lives being loved by God We

are condemned to be loved by Him forever We canrsquot escape itWe have no alternative but to put up with it this is who God is

Parents know an example of this principle when our chil-

dren were growing up and our birthday was approaching most

of us gave them money to buy us a present How do we know

how to do this It is in our 983108983118983105 God is the same way His love

is the currency He gives us so that we can love Him more fully

He gives to us the very thing He wants from us

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7

GRAHAM COOKE

POSSESSED BY GOD

God chose us so that He could be Himself with us He wants

us to see Him as He really is and to fall in love with Him the

same way He has fallen in love with us In our relationship we

must come to a place of mutual declaration as He and the Isra-

elites did in Deuteronomy 983090983094983089983094-983089983097 (983118983113983126)Te 983116983119983122983108 your God commands you this day to fol-

low these decrees and laws carefully observe them

with all your heart and with all your soul

You have declared this day that the 983116983119983122983108 is your God

and that you will walk in his ways that you will keep his

decrees commands and laws and that you will obey him And the 983116983119983122983108 has declared this day that you are his

people his treasured possession as he promised and

that you are to keep all his commands He has declared

that he will set you in praise fame and honor high

above all the nations he has made and that you will be

a people holy to the 983116983119983122983108 your God as he promised

God declares to the Israelites His laws and they in return

declared that they would follow them It was a breakthrough

moment for Israel Just outside of the Promised Land with

their leader Moses winding down his life they finally came to

a point of mutual declaration with God Tis passage actually

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8

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

fulfilled a prophetic conversation Moses and God had shared

forty years earlier in Exodus 983089983097983091-983094 And Moses went up to God and the 983116983119983122983108 called to him from

the mountain saying ldquoTus you shall say to the house of

Jacob and tell the children of Israel lsquoYou have seen what I

did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eaglesrsquo wings

and brought you to Myself Now therefore if you will indeed

obey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be a

special treasure to Me above all people for all the earth is Mine And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a

holy nationrsquo Tese are the words which you shall speak to

the children of Israelrdquo

Moses and Israel had been out of Egypt for just three

months when God spoke these words Te words ldquospecial trea-

surerdquo can also be interpreted as ldquopossessionrdquo ldquoIf you will indeedobey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be My

possessionrdquo God was saying ldquoTe whole earth is Mine but you

will be My special treasurerdquo Tose simple words began a pro-

phetic theme from the heart of God which has echoed through

countless generations

Tis original prophetic blessing was updated and expanded

in Deuteronomy 983095983094-983097For you are a holy people to the 983116983119983122983108 your God the 983116983119983122983108

your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself a spe-

cial treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth

Te 983116983119983122983108 did not set His love on you nor choose you because

you were more in number than any other people for you

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9

GRAHAM COOKE

were the least of all peoples but because the 983116983119983122983108 loves

you and because He would keep the oath which He sworeto your fathers the 983116983119983122983108

has brought you out

with a mighty hand and

redeemed you from the

house of bondage from

the hand of Pharaoh king

of Egypt Terefore knowthat the 983116983119983122983108 your God

He is God the faithful

God who keeps covenant

and mercy for a thou-

sand generations with those who love Him and keep His

commandments

We have been chosen as Godrsquos special treasure not because

of who we are but because of who God is His love cuts away all

of our performance-oriented mentality God chose you because

of who He is He chose you because of what He is like You

werenrsquot chosen because you are deserving or clever or brilliant

or handsome or noble or even good He chose you because He

is good Out of His love and His promises you were selectedas His treasure Godrsquos faithfulness has been the bedrock of His

dealings with humanity throughout time God cannot changemdash

He cannot be anything other than who He is

ldquoEVERYBODY CAN BE GREAThellip

BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN SERVE

YOU DONrsquoT HAVE TO HAVE A

COLLEG E DEG REE TO SERV E

Y O U D O N rsquo T H A V E T O M A K E

YOUR SUBJECT AND VERB AGREE

TO SERVE YOU ONLY NEED A

HEART FULL OF GRACE983084 A SOUL

GENERATED BY LOVErdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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11

GRAHAM COOKE

Learning to cohabit with God takes time Te pressure of

ministry is intense it can stress us out make us sick even killus unless we know how to rest in the Lord It takes discipline

to bring ourselves to a place of peace before God but it is abso-

lutely necessary to do so It has taken years of practice for me

but on most days I can bring myself to that place of peace

in five or ten seconds It no longer matters what is swirling

around me or threatening me I can still myself before God I

have to I need to be quiet to hear His voice God loves to speakin whispers He rarely answers prayers at the same decibel level

at which they are prayed

ldquoFatherrdquo we can shout at Him ldquoI need to hear Your voicerdquo

ldquoI knowrdquo He whispers back

ldquoSpeak to merdquo we bellow at the top of our lungs

ldquoI amrdquo He whispers

ldquoI need to hear Your voice todayrdquo we blareldquoShut up and listenrdquo He whispers

ldquoBe still and know that I am Godrdquo says Psalm 983092983094983089983088 Medi-

tation is another avenue towards cohabitation with God Te

western church must learn to meditate setting time aside to

think deeply about God It doesnrsquot have to be long just fifteen

minutes or half-an-hour but the more you do it the more time

yoursquoll want to give to Him I love meditatingMeditation and stillness flow into an upgrade of our peace

I spend a lot of time on peace with the people I disciple I con-

stantly confront them on the issue of peace in their lives I

donrsquot expect them to worry or panic at the same level next year

as they did this year Teir peace must increase and anxiety

8172019 The Language of Promise

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12

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

decrease Peace is a vital fruit

of the SpiritWithout an upgrade in our

capacity to rest in the Lord

we find ourselves running on

adrenaline Tatrsquos okay for a

while but for every adrenaline

high therersquos an adrenaline low Often people get down and

depressed because they have been running on adrenaline andtheyrsquove run out Itrsquos not the pressure of life that gets to us itrsquos

the pressure of how we run it

Peace though is an equalizing pressure If the world is

throwing a thousand pounds of pressure at you from the out-

side peace sends a thousand and one pounds from the inside

Irsquom under pressure wherever I gomdashintense pressure in most

places Everyone wants to see me and talk to me and pull at meand get prayer from me I donrsquot mind itrsquos my job o survive

I have learned to be at peace My rest in God gives me space

Eventually adrenaline will rob our mind and body and will

leave us exhausted Itrsquos okay to be tired in the work but itrsquos not

okay to be tired of the work We must learn to give ourselves

to peace rest and meditation We can operate at the highest

level for many years if we have developed ourselves internallyin preparation

IF THE WORLD IS THROWING

A THOUSA ND P OUNDS OF

PRESSURE AT YOU FROM THE

OUTSIDE983084 P EA CE SENDS A

THOUSAND AND ONE POUNDS

FROM THE INSIDE

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13

GRAHAM COOKE

SONSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

We live our lives in the tension of a paradox between being

and doing Te key to succeeding in this quandary is to always

choose being over doing We must choose to take time out to

rest We all have to do many things but being is just as impor-

tant Tis paradox could be described as the difference betweensonship and stewardship We must learn how to serve the Lord

but we must also explore how to be a son of God God doesnrsquot

want to treat you like a slavemdashHe wants to treat you like a son

One of my mentors Arthur once asked me ldquoGraham do

you want to be a servant of the Lordrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo I answered

ldquoTen donrsquot get upset if He treats you like onerdquo Arthur saidSometimes God commands and I obey Other times He

makes a request of me because He wants to treat me like His

son Christians need to know how to live life as both a servant

and a son Being a son means God gets the best of our day not

just the tail end Te Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a

man who knew how to be both a servant and a son as we read

in Ephesians 983089983089983093-983090983091Terefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ the Father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 10: The Language of Promise

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1

GRAHAM COOKE

IN YOUR BEGINNING

Love is a topic that has been explored pondered consid-

ered and written about for as long as humans have been around

It has been looked at from almost every angle and is an expe-

riential common ground for humanity everyone understands

the feeling of love Many however have a distorted view ofthe power of love Tey have tried to capture it without seek-

ing out its origin God

Te Apostle John understood well where love originated

ldquoWe love because He first loved usrdquo he wrote in 983089 John 983092983089983097 Before

we were saved most of us were going through life completely

oblivious to who God really is One day suddenly and miracu-

lously God invaded our world taking the initiative and reach-ing out to us in love We responded by returning that love to

Him and found ourselves walking in salvation

Te way that we begin life in God is the same way that life

continues with Him God took the initial step He loved us first

He came looking for us spoke to us sent those weird people

to share the gospel with us We looked at those strange people

that were sent into our lives and thought ldquoWow they seem abit out of step with the real worldrdquo But there was something

that drew us God Himself

Our relationship with God is sustained by the same force

of love by which it was birthed God doesnrsquot stop taking the ini-

tiative the moment we are saved He is continually our Lover

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2

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

and we are continually His

beloved Our job is to beloved by God only God can

love God He comes into

our lives and fills them with

hope faith and love Tat

pure love does something inside of us which we give back to

Him

GODrsquoS LANGUAGE IS LOVE

God adores us because He wants our adoration God loves

us because He wants our love God speaks to us by His love

Tis is the language we need to hear from the Lord so that we

can speak it back to Him Itrsquos a glorious cyclemdashGod takes the

initiative by loving us and we return that love to Him God can

say nothing without using this language of love

What is true in the natural is also true by the Spirit Isaiah

described this beautifully in 983093983093983097-983089983089 (983118983105983123983106)

For as the heavens are higher than the earthSo are My ways higher than your ways

And My thoughts than your thoughts

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven And

do not return there without watering the earth

ldquoLIFE IS TO BE FORTIFIED BY

MANY FRIENDSHIPS TO LOVE AND

TO BE LOVED IS THE GREATEST

HAPPINESS OF EXISTENCErdquo

SYDNEY SMITH

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3

GRAHAM COOKE

And making it bear and sprout

And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth

It will not return to Me empty

Without accomplishing what I desire

And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it

Godrsquos promise is as inevitable as rain falling His words

water our lives making us fruitful and productive We returnthis blessing through our words of praise and thanksgiving our

testimony and witness to His Nature and also by our actions

that may bring glory to the Lord

James put it a different way but it is still the same theme

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above

coming down from the Father of lights with whom there

is no variation or shifting shadow In the exercise of Hiswill He brought us forth by the word of truth so that

we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures

(James 983089983089983095-983089983096 983118983105983123983106)

Everything that is good and right comes from a Father who

never changes It is His consistency and faithfulness that is the

bedrock of our ability to receive It simply does not depend uponus He is the origin the cause the motive and the source of

every gift It will always be this way He is the Beginning and the

Ending for all of us for all time His passion is to make each of

us a joyful carrier of His word through His promises so that we

may enjoy the certainty of our receiving His gifts and goodness

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4

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tink of it we are the first fruits of His huge desire to have

a people represent His Excellence Our role in the Earth is toproclaim the fact of Godrsquos outstanding goodness by living the

life of promise that He has set aside for us All Godrsquos promises

are yes And amen in Christ Jesus Paul put it this way in his

letter to the church in Rome

hellipwho has first given to Him that it might be paid back to

Him again For from Him and through Him and to Him

are all things o Him be the glory forever Amen(Romans 983089983089983091983093-983091983094 983118983105983123983106)

It is not possible for us to initiate anything with God Paul

asks who has ever given to God first God initiates we respond

by receiving and then we give back to God the very thing He

gave us in the first place From through and to Him are all

things Everything He wants from us He gives to usTis is amazing wonderful outrageous and mind-bog-

gling stuff Tis means that when the Holy Spirit convicts me

of something He is also relaying the Fatherrsquos willingness to

supply what I lack Terefore

CONVICTION REGARDING OUR INABILITY TO PRAY ALSO

RELEASED THE PROMISE THAT HE WILL HELP US

STRUGGLING WITH UNCLEAN THOUGHTS CONVICTION ALSOBRINGS WITH IT THE PROMISE OF PURITY

PROBLEMS WITH DOUBT983084 UNBELIEF WITH CONVICTION THE

LORD SEEKS TO INITIATE FAITH

Get the message Te promise releases the gift Conviction

seeks to re-establish the divine order Te Holy Spirit points

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5

GRAHAM COOKE

out our need and the provision at the same time Conviction

restores us to being open to the goodness of God From Himthrough Him and to Him are all thingshellipmarvelous

Each of us must see ourselves in that cycle in the man-

ner that the Father has declared o live as part of His cycle of

life we must understand that all of His language to us is full

of promise to us He delights to speak to us and is blessed by

our expectancy

Te tragedy of modern Christianity is that much of it isperformance-oriented We think we have to do something to

get something from God ldquoGod canrsquot possibly like me because

Irsquom not doing anythingrdquo

we say ldquoGod canrsquot love me

I donrsquot pray enough I donrsquot

give enough I donrsquot wor-

ship enough I donrsquot readenoughrdquo But how much

is actually enough We

shouldnrsquot be constantly quantifying ldquoenoughrdquo but we should

be serving God because He loves us Present-day Christians are

quick to fall into the same trap Martha did in Luke 983089983088 think-

ing that we have to prove ourselves worthy of a relationship

with Jesus Being Mary and basking in Jesusrsquo love is a severechallenge for us

Te language of love is something we must all learn We

have to understand how God sees us so that we can see Him

more clearly God loves us and because He loves us we want

to talk to Him Everything we can give to God comes from

ldquoLOVE IS BUT T HE DISCOVERY OF

OURSELVES IN OTHERS983084 AND THE

DELIGHT IN THE RECOGNITIONrdquo

ALEXANDER SMITH

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6

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Him in the first place It begins and ends with God because

intimacy is a cycleIn the natural world we see many examples of this type

of cycle Water falls from the sky and returns to the heavens

by the process of evaporation Te moon does not generate its

own light but reflects the light of the sun in the night sky Te

image in a mirror is nothing more than a reflection of the actual

object Likewise our love for God is a reflection of His love for

us Love begins and ends with GodWe cannot love God on our own initiative but we can give

back that which He has bestowed on us When the Father of

Lights gives us a gift that touches our heart it does something

inside of us We end up returning to God the very thing He has

given us o love God we must be loved by God Itrsquos a wonder-

ful thing to go through our entire lives being loved by God We

are condemned to be loved by Him forever We canrsquot escape itWe have no alternative but to put up with it this is who God is

Parents know an example of this principle when our chil-

dren were growing up and our birthday was approaching most

of us gave them money to buy us a present How do we know

how to do this It is in our 983108983118983105 God is the same way His love

is the currency He gives us so that we can love Him more fully

He gives to us the very thing He wants from us

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7

GRAHAM COOKE

POSSESSED BY GOD

God chose us so that He could be Himself with us He wants

us to see Him as He really is and to fall in love with Him the

same way He has fallen in love with us In our relationship we

must come to a place of mutual declaration as He and the Isra-

elites did in Deuteronomy 983090983094983089983094-983089983097 (983118983113983126)Te 983116983119983122983108 your God commands you this day to fol-

low these decrees and laws carefully observe them

with all your heart and with all your soul

You have declared this day that the 983116983119983122983108 is your God

and that you will walk in his ways that you will keep his

decrees commands and laws and that you will obey him And the 983116983119983122983108 has declared this day that you are his

people his treasured possession as he promised and

that you are to keep all his commands He has declared

that he will set you in praise fame and honor high

above all the nations he has made and that you will be

a people holy to the 983116983119983122983108 your God as he promised

God declares to the Israelites His laws and they in return

declared that they would follow them It was a breakthrough

moment for Israel Just outside of the Promised Land with

their leader Moses winding down his life they finally came to

a point of mutual declaration with God Tis passage actually

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8

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

fulfilled a prophetic conversation Moses and God had shared

forty years earlier in Exodus 983089983097983091-983094 And Moses went up to God and the 983116983119983122983108 called to him from

the mountain saying ldquoTus you shall say to the house of

Jacob and tell the children of Israel lsquoYou have seen what I

did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eaglesrsquo wings

and brought you to Myself Now therefore if you will indeed

obey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be a

special treasure to Me above all people for all the earth is Mine And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a

holy nationrsquo Tese are the words which you shall speak to

the children of Israelrdquo

Moses and Israel had been out of Egypt for just three

months when God spoke these words Te words ldquospecial trea-

surerdquo can also be interpreted as ldquopossessionrdquo ldquoIf you will indeedobey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be My

possessionrdquo God was saying ldquoTe whole earth is Mine but you

will be My special treasurerdquo Tose simple words began a pro-

phetic theme from the heart of God which has echoed through

countless generations

Tis original prophetic blessing was updated and expanded

in Deuteronomy 983095983094-983097For you are a holy people to the 983116983119983122983108 your God the 983116983119983122983108

your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself a spe-

cial treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth

Te 983116983119983122983108 did not set His love on you nor choose you because

you were more in number than any other people for you

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9

GRAHAM COOKE

were the least of all peoples but because the 983116983119983122983108 loves

you and because He would keep the oath which He sworeto your fathers the 983116983119983122983108

has brought you out

with a mighty hand and

redeemed you from the

house of bondage from

the hand of Pharaoh king

of Egypt Terefore knowthat the 983116983119983122983108 your God

He is God the faithful

God who keeps covenant

and mercy for a thou-

sand generations with those who love Him and keep His

commandments

We have been chosen as Godrsquos special treasure not because

of who we are but because of who God is His love cuts away all

of our performance-oriented mentality God chose you because

of who He is He chose you because of what He is like You

werenrsquot chosen because you are deserving or clever or brilliant

or handsome or noble or even good He chose you because He

is good Out of His love and His promises you were selectedas His treasure Godrsquos faithfulness has been the bedrock of His

dealings with humanity throughout time God cannot changemdash

He cannot be anything other than who He is

ldquoEVERYBODY CAN BE GREAThellip

BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN SERVE

YOU DONrsquoT HAVE TO HAVE A

COLLEG E DEG REE TO SERV E

Y O U D O N rsquo T H A V E T O M A K E

YOUR SUBJECT AND VERB AGREE

TO SERVE YOU ONLY NEED A

HEART FULL OF GRACE983084 A SOUL

GENERATED BY LOVErdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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11

GRAHAM COOKE

Learning to cohabit with God takes time Te pressure of

ministry is intense it can stress us out make us sick even killus unless we know how to rest in the Lord It takes discipline

to bring ourselves to a place of peace before God but it is abso-

lutely necessary to do so It has taken years of practice for me

but on most days I can bring myself to that place of peace

in five or ten seconds It no longer matters what is swirling

around me or threatening me I can still myself before God I

have to I need to be quiet to hear His voice God loves to speakin whispers He rarely answers prayers at the same decibel level

at which they are prayed

ldquoFatherrdquo we can shout at Him ldquoI need to hear Your voicerdquo

ldquoI knowrdquo He whispers back

ldquoSpeak to merdquo we bellow at the top of our lungs

ldquoI amrdquo He whispers

ldquoI need to hear Your voice todayrdquo we blareldquoShut up and listenrdquo He whispers

ldquoBe still and know that I am Godrdquo says Psalm 983092983094983089983088 Medi-

tation is another avenue towards cohabitation with God Te

western church must learn to meditate setting time aside to

think deeply about God It doesnrsquot have to be long just fifteen

minutes or half-an-hour but the more you do it the more time

yoursquoll want to give to Him I love meditatingMeditation and stillness flow into an upgrade of our peace

I spend a lot of time on peace with the people I disciple I con-

stantly confront them on the issue of peace in their lives I

donrsquot expect them to worry or panic at the same level next year

as they did this year Teir peace must increase and anxiety

8172019 The Language of Promise

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12

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

decrease Peace is a vital fruit

of the SpiritWithout an upgrade in our

capacity to rest in the Lord

we find ourselves running on

adrenaline Tatrsquos okay for a

while but for every adrenaline

high therersquos an adrenaline low Often people get down and

depressed because they have been running on adrenaline andtheyrsquove run out Itrsquos not the pressure of life that gets to us itrsquos

the pressure of how we run it

Peace though is an equalizing pressure If the world is

throwing a thousand pounds of pressure at you from the out-

side peace sends a thousand and one pounds from the inside

Irsquom under pressure wherever I gomdashintense pressure in most

places Everyone wants to see me and talk to me and pull at meand get prayer from me I donrsquot mind itrsquos my job o survive

I have learned to be at peace My rest in God gives me space

Eventually adrenaline will rob our mind and body and will

leave us exhausted Itrsquos okay to be tired in the work but itrsquos not

okay to be tired of the work We must learn to give ourselves

to peace rest and meditation We can operate at the highest

level for many years if we have developed ourselves internallyin preparation

IF THE WORLD IS THROWING

A THOUSA ND P OUNDS OF

PRESSURE AT YOU FROM THE

OUTSIDE983084 P EA CE SENDS A

THOUSAND AND ONE POUNDS

FROM THE INSIDE

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13

GRAHAM COOKE

SONSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

We live our lives in the tension of a paradox between being

and doing Te key to succeeding in this quandary is to always

choose being over doing We must choose to take time out to

rest We all have to do many things but being is just as impor-

tant Tis paradox could be described as the difference betweensonship and stewardship We must learn how to serve the Lord

but we must also explore how to be a son of God God doesnrsquot

want to treat you like a slavemdashHe wants to treat you like a son

One of my mentors Arthur once asked me ldquoGraham do

you want to be a servant of the Lordrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo I answered

ldquoTen donrsquot get upset if He treats you like onerdquo Arthur saidSometimes God commands and I obey Other times He

makes a request of me because He wants to treat me like His

son Christians need to know how to live life as both a servant

and a son Being a son means God gets the best of our day not

just the tail end Te Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a

man who knew how to be both a servant and a son as we read

in Ephesians 983089983089983093-983090983091Terefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ the Father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 11: The Language of Promise

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2

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

and we are continually His

beloved Our job is to beloved by God only God can

love God He comes into

our lives and fills them with

hope faith and love Tat

pure love does something inside of us which we give back to

Him

GODrsquoS LANGUAGE IS LOVE

God adores us because He wants our adoration God loves

us because He wants our love God speaks to us by His love

Tis is the language we need to hear from the Lord so that we

can speak it back to Him Itrsquos a glorious cyclemdashGod takes the

initiative by loving us and we return that love to Him God can

say nothing without using this language of love

What is true in the natural is also true by the Spirit Isaiah

described this beautifully in 983093983093983097-983089983089 (983118983105983123983106)

For as the heavens are higher than the earthSo are My ways higher than your ways

And My thoughts than your thoughts

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven And

do not return there without watering the earth

ldquoLIFE IS TO BE FORTIFIED BY

MANY FRIENDSHIPS TO LOVE AND

TO BE LOVED IS THE GREATEST

HAPPINESS OF EXISTENCErdquo

SYDNEY SMITH

8172019 The Language of Promise

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3

GRAHAM COOKE

And making it bear and sprout

And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth

It will not return to Me empty

Without accomplishing what I desire

And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it

Godrsquos promise is as inevitable as rain falling His words

water our lives making us fruitful and productive We returnthis blessing through our words of praise and thanksgiving our

testimony and witness to His Nature and also by our actions

that may bring glory to the Lord

James put it a different way but it is still the same theme

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above

coming down from the Father of lights with whom there

is no variation or shifting shadow In the exercise of Hiswill He brought us forth by the word of truth so that

we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures

(James 983089983089983095-983089983096 983118983105983123983106)

Everything that is good and right comes from a Father who

never changes It is His consistency and faithfulness that is the

bedrock of our ability to receive It simply does not depend uponus He is the origin the cause the motive and the source of

every gift It will always be this way He is the Beginning and the

Ending for all of us for all time His passion is to make each of

us a joyful carrier of His word through His promises so that we

may enjoy the certainty of our receiving His gifts and goodness

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4

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tink of it we are the first fruits of His huge desire to have

a people represent His Excellence Our role in the Earth is toproclaim the fact of Godrsquos outstanding goodness by living the

life of promise that He has set aside for us All Godrsquos promises

are yes And amen in Christ Jesus Paul put it this way in his

letter to the church in Rome

hellipwho has first given to Him that it might be paid back to

Him again For from Him and through Him and to Him

are all things o Him be the glory forever Amen(Romans 983089983089983091983093-983091983094 983118983105983123983106)

It is not possible for us to initiate anything with God Paul

asks who has ever given to God first God initiates we respond

by receiving and then we give back to God the very thing He

gave us in the first place From through and to Him are all

things Everything He wants from us He gives to usTis is amazing wonderful outrageous and mind-bog-

gling stuff Tis means that when the Holy Spirit convicts me

of something He is also relaying the Fatherrsquos willingness to

supply what I lack Terefore

CONVICTION REGARDING OUR INABILITY TO PRAY ALSO

RELEASED THE PROMISE THAT HE WILL HELP US

STRUGGLING WITH UNCLEAN THOUGHTS CONVICTION ALSOBRINGS WITH IT THE PROMISE OF PURITY

PROBLEMS WITH DOUBT983084 UNBELIEF WITH CONVICTION THE

LORD SEEKS TO INITIATE FAITH

Get the message Te promise releases the gift Conviction

seeks to re-establish the divine order Te Holy Spirit points

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5

GRAHAM COOKE

out our need and the provision at the same time Conviction

restores us to being open to the goodness of God From Himthrough Him and to Him are all thingshellipmarvelous

Each of us must see ourselves in that cycle in the man-

ner that the Father has declared o live as part of His cycle of

life we must understand that all of His language to us is full

of promise to us He delights to speak to us and is blessed by

our expectancy

Te tragedy of modern Christianity is that much of it isperformance-oriented We think we have to do something to

get something from God ldquoGod canrsquot possibly like me because

Irsquom not doing anythingrdquo

we say ldquoGod canrsquot love me

I donrsquot pray enough I donrsquot

give enough I donrsquot wor-

ship enough I donrsquot readenoughrdquo But how much

is actually enough We

shouldnrsquot be constantly quantifying ldquoenoughrdquo but we should

be serving God because He loves us Present-day Christians are

quick to fall into the same trap Martha did in Luke 983089983088 think-

ing that we have to prove ourselves worthy of a relationship

with Jesus Being Mary and basking in Jesusrsquo love is a severechallenge for us

Te language of love is something we must all learn We

have to understand how God sees us so that we can see Him

more clearly God loves us and because He loves us we want

to talk to Him Everything we can give to God comes from

ldquoLOVE IS BUT T HE DISCOVERY OF

OURSELVES IN OTHERS983084 AND THE

DELIGHT IN THE RECOGNITIONrdquo

ALEXANDER SMITH

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6

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Him in the first place It begins and ends with God because

intimacy is a cycleIn the natural world we see many examples of this type

of cycle Water falls from the sky and returns to the heavens

by the process of evaporation Te moon does not generate its

own light but reflects the light of the sun in the night sky Te

image in a mirror is nothing more than a reflection of the actual

object Likewise our love for God is a reflection of His love for

us Love begins and ends with GodWe cannot love God on our own initiative but we can give

back that which He has bestowed on us When the Father of

Lights gives us a gift that touches our heart it does something

inside of us We end up returning to God the very thing He has

given us o love God we must be loved by God Itrsquos a wonder-

ful thing to go through our entire lives being loved by God We

are condemned to be loved by Him forever We canrsquot escape itWe have no alternative but to put up with it this is who God is

Parents know an example of this principle when our chil-

dren were growing up and our birthday was approaching most

of us gave them money to buy us a present How do we know

how to do this It is in our 983108983118983105 God is the same way His love

is the currency He gives us so that we can love Him more fully

He gives to us the very thing He wants from us

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7

GRAHAM COOKE

POSSESSED BY GOD

God chose us so that He could be Himself with us He wants

us to see Him as He really is and to fall in love with Him the

same way He has fallen in love with us In our relationship we

must come to a place of mutual declaration as He and the Isra-

elites did in Deuteronomy 983090983094983089983094-983089983097 (983118983113983126)Te 983116983119983122983108 your God commands you this day to fol-

low these decrees and laws carefully observe them

with all your heart and with all your soul

You have declared this day that the 983116983119983122983108 is your God

and that you will walk in his ways that you will keep his

decrees commands and laws and that you will obey him And the 983116983119983122983108 has declared this day that you are his

people his treasured possession as he promised and

that you are to keep all his commands He has declared

that he will set you in praise fame and honor high

above all the nations he has made and that you will be

a people holy to the 983116983119983122983108 your God as he promised

God declares to the Israelites His laws and they in return

declared that they would follow them It was a breakthrough

moment for Israel Just outside of the Promised Land with

their leader Moses winding down his life they finally came to

a point of mutual declaration with God Tis passage actually

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8

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

fulfilled a prophetic conversation Moses and God had shared

forty years earlier in Exodus 983089983097983091-983094 And Moses went up to God and the 983116983119983122983108 called to him from

the mountain saying ldquoTus you shall say to the house of

Jacob and tell the children of Israel lsquoYou have seen what I

did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eaglesrsquo wings

and brought you to Myself Now therefore if you will indeed

obey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be a

special treasure to Me above all people for all the earth is Mine And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a

holy nationrsquo Tese are the words which you shall speak to

the children of Israelrdquo

Moses and Israel had been out of Egypt for just three

months when God spoke these words Te words ldquospecial trea-

surerdquo can also be interpreted as ldquopossessionrdquo ldquoIf you will indeedobey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be My

possessionrdquo God was saying ldquoTe whole earth is Mine but you

will be My special treasurerdquo Tose simple words began a pro-

phetic theme from the heart of God which has echoed through

countless generations

Tis original prophetic blessing was updated and expanded

in Deuteronomy 983095983094-983097For you are a holy people to the 983116983119983122983108 your God the 983116983119983122983108

your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself a spe-

cial treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth

Te 983116983119983122983108 did not set His love on you nor choose you because

you were more in number than any other people for you

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9

GRAHAM COOKE

were the least of all peoples but because the 983116983119983122983108 loves

you and because He would keep the oath which He sworeto your fathers the 983116983119983122983108

has brought you out

with a mighty hand and

redeemed you from the

house of bondage from

the hand of Pharaoh king

of Egypt Terefore knowthat the 983116983119983122983108 your God

He is God the faithful

God who keeps covenant

and mercy for a thou-

sand generations with those who love Him and keep His

commandments

We have been chosen as Godrsquos special treasure not because

of who we are but because of who God is His love cuts away all

of our performance-oriented mentality God chose you because

of who He is He chose you because of what He is like You

werenrsquot chosen because you are deserving or clever or brilliant

or handsome or noble or even good He chose you because He

is good Out of His love and His promises you were selectedas His treasure Godrsquos faithfulness has been the bedrock of His

dealings with humanity throughout time God cannot changemdash

He cannot be anything other than who He is

ldquoEVERYBODY CAN BE GREAThellip

BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN SERVE

YOU DONrsquoT HAVE TO HAVE A

COLLEG E DEG REE TO SERV E

Y O U D O N rsquo T H A V E T O M A K E

YOUR SUBJECT AND VERB AGREE

TO SERVE YOU ONLY NEED A

HEART FULL OF GRACE983084 A SOUL

GENERATED BY LOVErdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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11

GRAHAM COOKE

Learning to cohabit with God takes time Te pressure of

ministry is intense it can stress us out make us sick even killus unless we know how to rest in the Lord It takes discipline

to bring ourselves to a place of peace before God but it is abso-

lutely necessary to do so It has taken years of practice for me

but on most days I can bring myself to that place of peace

in five or ten seconds It no longer matters what is swirling

around me or threatening me I can still myself before God I

have to I need to be quiet to hear His voice God loves to speakin whispers He rarely answers prayers at the same decibel level

at which they are prayed

ldquoFatherrdquo we can shout at Him ldquoI need to hear Your voicerdquo

ldquoI knowrdquo He whispers back

ldquoSpeak to merdquo we bellow at the top of our lungs

ldquoI amrdquo He whispers

ldquoI need to hear Your voice todayrdquo we blareldquoShut up and listenrdquo He whispers

ldquoBe still and know that I am Godrdquo says Psalm 983092983094983089983088 Medi-

tation is another avenue towards cohabitation with God Te

western church must learn to meditate setting time aside to

think deeply about God It doesnrsquot have to be long just fifteen

minutes or half-an-hour but the more you do it the more time

yoursquoll want to give to Him I love meditatingMeditation and stillness flow into an upgrade of our peace

I spend a lot of time on peace with the people I disciple I con-

stantly confront them on the issue of peace in their lives I

donrsquot expect them to worry or panic at the same level next year

as they did this year Teir peace must increase and anxiety

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12

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

decrease Peace is a vital fruit

of the SpiritWithout an upgrade in our

capacity to rest in the Lord

we find ourselves running on

adrenaline Tatrsquos okay for a

while but for every adrenaline

high therersquos an adrenaline low Often people get down and

depressed because they have been running on adrenaline andtheyrsquove run out Itrsquos not the pressure of life that gets to us itrsquos

the pressure of how we run it

Peace though is an equalizing pressure If the world is

throwing a thousand pounds of pressure at you from the out-

side peace sends a thousand and one pounds from the inside

Irsquom under pressure wherever I gomdashintense pressure in most

places Everyone wants to see me and talk to me and pull at meand get prayer from me I donrsquot mind itrsquos my job o survive

I have learned to be at peace My rest in God gives me space

Eventually adrenaline will rob our mind and body and will

leave us exhausted Itrsquos okay to be tired in the work but itrsquos not

okay to be tired of the work We must learn to give ourselves

to peace rest and meditation We can operate at the highest

level for many years if we have developed ourselves internallyin preparation

IF THE WORLD IS THROWING

A THOUSA ND P OUNDS OF

PRESSURE AT YOU FROM THE

OUTSIDE983084 P EA CE SENDS A

THOUSAND AND ONE POUNDS

FROM THE INSIDE

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13

GRAHAM COOKE

SONSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

We live our lives in the tension of a paradox between being

and doing Te key to succeeding in this quandary is to always

choose being over doing We must choose to take time out to

rest We all have to do many things but being is just as impor-

tant Tis paradox could be described as the difference betweensonship and stewardship We must learn how to serve the Lord

but we must also explore how to be a son of God God doesnrsquot

want to treat you like a slavemdashHe wants to treat you like a son

One of my mentors Arthur once asked me ldquoGraham do

you want to be a servant of the Lordrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo I answered

ldquoTen donrsquot get upset if He treats you like onerdquo Arthur saidSometimes God commands and I obey Other times He

makes a request of me because He wants to treat me like His

son Christians need to know how to live life as both a servant

and a son Being a son means God gets the best of our day not

just the tail end Te Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a

man who knew how to be both a servant and a son as we read

in Ephesians 983089983089983093-983090983091Terefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ the Father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding

8172019 The Language of Promise

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

8172019 The Language of Promise

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

8172019 The Language of Promise

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 12: The Language of Promise

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3

GRAHAM COOKE

And making it bear and sprout

And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth

It will not return to Me empty

Without accomplishing what I desire

And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it

Godrsquos promise is as inevitable as rain falling His words

water our lives making us fruitful and productive We returnthis blessing through our words of praise and thanksgiving our

testimony and witness to His Nature and also by our actions

that may bring glory to the Lord

James put it a different way but it is still the same theme

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above

coming down from the Father of lights with whom there

is no variation or shifting shadow In the exercise of Hiswill He brought us forth by the word of truth so that

we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures

(James 983089983089983095-983089983096 983118983105983123983106)

Everything that is good and right comes from a Father who

never changes It is His consistency and faithfulness that is the

bedrock of our ability to receive It simply does not depend uponus He is the origin the cause the motive and the source of

every gift It will always be this way He is the Beginning and the

Ending for all of us for all time His passion is to make each of

us a joyful carrier of His word through His promises so that we

may enjoy the certainty of our receiving His gifts and goodness

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4

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tink of it we are the first fruits of His huge desire to have

a people represent His Excellence Our role in the Earth is toproclaim the fact of Godrsquos outstanding goodness by living the

life of promise that He has set aside for us All Godrsquos promises

are yes And amen in Christ Jesus Paul put it this way in his

letter to the church in Rome

hellipwho has first given to Him that it might be paid back to

Him again For from Him and through Him and to Him

are all things o Him be the glory forever Amen(Romans 983089983089983091983093-983091983094 983118983105983123983106)

It is not possible for us to initiate anything with God Paul

asks who has ever given to God first God initiates we respond

by receiving and then we give back to God the very thing He

gave us in the first place From through and to Him are all

things Everything He wants from us He gives to usTis is amazing wonderful outrageous and mind-bog-

gling stuff Tis means that when the Holy Spirit convicts me

of something He is also relaying the Fatherrsquos willingness to

supply what I lack Terefore

CONVICTION REGARDING OUR INABILITY TO PRAY ALSO

RELEASED THE PROMISE THAT HE WILL HELP US

STRUGGLING WITH UNCLEAN THOUGHTS CONVICTION ALSOBRINGS WITH IT THE PROMISE OF PURITY

PROBLEMS WITH DOUBT983084 UNBELIEF WITH CONVICTION THE

LORD SEEKS TO INITIATE FAITH

Get the message Te promise releases the gift Conviction

seeks to re-establish the divine order Te Holy Spirit points

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5

GRAHAM COOKE

out our need and the provision at the same time Conviction

restores us to being open to the goodness of God From Himthrough Him and to Him are all thingshellipmarvelous

Each of us must see ourselves in that cycle in the man-

ner that the Father has declared o live as part of His cycle of

life we must understand that all of His language to us is full

of promise to us He delights to speak to us and is blessed by

our expectancy

Te tragedy of modern Christianity is that much of it isperformance-oriented We think we have to do something to

get something from God ldquoGod canrsquot possibly like me because

Irsquom not doing anythingrdquo

we say ldquoGod canrsquot love me

I donrsquot pray enough I donrsquot

give enough I donrsquot wor-

ship enough I donrsquot readenoughrdquo But how much

is actually enough We

shouldnrsquot be constantly quantifying ldquoenoughrdquo but we should

be serving God because He loves us Present-day Christians are

quick to fall into the same trap Martha did in Luke 983089983088 think-

ing that we have to prove ourselves worthy of a relationship

with Jesus Being Mary and basking in Jesusrsquo love is a severechallenge for us

Te language of love is something we must all learn We

have to understand how God sees us so that we can see Him

more clearly God loves us and because He loves us we want

to talk to Him Everything we can give to God comes from

ldquoLOVE IS BUT T HE DISCOVERY OF

OURSELVES IN OTHERS983084 AND THE

DELIGHT IN THE RECOGNITIONrdquo

ALEXANDER SMITH

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6

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Him in the first place It begins and ends with God because

intimacy is a cycleIn the natural world we see many examples of this type

of cycle Water falls from the sky and returns to the heavens

by the process of evaporation Te moon does not generate its

own light but reflects the light of the sun in the night sky Te

image in a mirror is nothing more than a reflection of the actual

object Likewise our love for God is a reflection of His love for

us Love begins and ends with GodWe cannot love God on our own initiative but we can give

back that which He has bestowed on us When the Father of

Lights gives us a gift that touches our heart it does something

inside of us We end up returning to God the very thing He has

given us o love God we must be loved by God Itrsquos a wonder-

ful thing to go through our entire lives being loved by God We

are condemned to be loved by Him forever We canrsquot escape itWe have no alternative but to put up with it this is who God is

Parents know an example of this principle when our chil-

dren were growing up and our birthday was approaching most

of us gave them money to buy us a present How do we know

how to do this It is in our 983108983118983105 God is the same way His love

is the currency He gives us so that we can love Him more fully

He gives to us the very thing He wants from us

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7

GRAHAM COOKE

POSSESSED BY GOD

God chose us so that He could be Himself with us He wants

us to see Him as He really is and to fall in love with Him the

same way He has fallen in love with us In our relationship we

must come to a place of mutual declaration as He and the Isra-

elites did in Deuteronomy 983090983094983089983094-983089983097 (983118983113983126)Te 983116983119983122983108 your God commands you this day to fol-

low these decrees and laws carefully observe them

with all your heart and with all your soul

You have declared this day that the 983116983119983122983108 is your God

and that you will walk in his ways that you will keep his

decrees commands and laws and that you will obey him And the 983116983119983122983108 has declared this day that you are his

people his treasured possession as he promised and

that you are to keep all his commands He has declared

that he will set you in praise fame and honor high

above all the nations he has made and that you will be

a people holy to the 983116983119983122983108 your God as he promised

God declares to the Israelites His laws and they in return

declared that they would follow them It was a breakthrough

moment for Israel Just outside of the Promised Land with

their leader Moses winding down his life they finally came to

a point of mutual declaration with God Tis passage actually

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8

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

fulfilled a prophetic conversation Moses and God had shared

forty years earlier in Exodus 983089983097983091-983094 And Moses went up to God and the 983116983119983122983108 called to him from

the mountain saying ldquoTus you shall say to the house of

Jacob and tell the children of Israel lsquoYou have seen what I

did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eaglesrsquo wings

and brought you to Myself Now therefore if you will indeed

obey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be a

special treasure to Me above all people for all the earth is Mine And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a

holy nationrsquo Tese are the words which you shall speak to

the children of Israelrdquo

Moses and Israel had been out of Egypt for just three

months when God spoke these words Te words ldquospecial trea-

surerdquo can also be interpreted as ldquopossessionrdquo ldquoIf you will indeedobey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be My

possessionrdquo God was saying ldquoTe whole earth is Mine but you

will be My special treasurerdquo Tose simple words began a pro-

phetic theme from the heart of God which has echoed through

countless generations

Tis original prophetic blessing was updated and expanded

in Deuteronomy 983095983094-983097For you are a holy people to the 983116983119983122983108 your God the 983116983119983122983108

your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself a spe-

cial treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth

Te 983116983119983122983108 did not set His love on you nor choose you because

you were more in number than any other people for you

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9

GRAHAM COOKE

were the least of all peoples but because the 983116983119983122983108 loves

you and because He would keep the oath which He sworeto your fathers the 983116983119983122983108

has brought you out

with a mighty hand and

redeemed you from the

house of bondage from

the hand of Pharaoh king

of Egypt Terefore knowthat the 983116983119983122983108 your God

He is God the faithful

God who keeps covenant

and mercy for a thou-

sand generations with those who love Him and keep His

commandments

We have been chosen as Godrsquos special treasure not because

of who we are but because of who God is His love cuts away all

of our performance-oriented mentality God chose you because

of who He is He chose you because of what He is like You

werenrsquot chosen because you are deserving or clever or brilliant

or handsome or noble or even good He chose you because He

is good Out of His love and His promises you were selectedas His treasure Godrsquos faithfulness has been the bedrock of His

dealings with humanity throughout time God cannot changemdash

He cannot be anything other than who He is

ldquoEVERYBODY CAN BE GREAThellip

BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN SERVE

YOU DONrsquoT HAVE TO HAVE A

COLLEG E DEG REE TO SERV E

Y O U D O N rsquo T H A V E T O M A K E

YOUR SUBJECT AND VERB AGREE

TO SERVE YOU ONLY NEED A

HEART FULL OF GRACE983084 A SOUL

GENERATED BY LOVErdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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11

GRAHAM COOKE

Learning to cohabit with God takes time Te pressure of

ministry is intense it can stress us out make us sick even killus unless we know how to rest in the Lord It takes discipline

to bring ourselves to a place of peace before God but it is abso-

lutely necessary to do so It has taken years of practice for me

but on most days I can bring myself to that place of peace

in five or ten seconds It no longer matters what is swirling

around me or threatening me I can still myself before God I

have to I need to be quiet to hear His voice God loves to speakin whispers He rarely answers prayers at the same decibel level

at which they are prayed

ldquoFatherrdquo we can shout at Him ldquoI need to hear Your voicerdquo

ldquoI knowrdquo He whispers back

ldquoSpeak to merdquo we bellow at the top of our lungs

ldquoI amrdquo He whispers

ldquoI need to hear Your voice todayrdquo we blareldquoShut up and listenrdquo He whispers

ldquoBe still and know that I am Godrdquo says Psalm 983092983094983089983088 Medi-

tation is another avenue towards cohabitation with God Te

western church must learn to meditate setting time aside to

think deeply about God It doesnrsquot have to be long just fifteen

minutes or half-an-hour but the more you do it the more time

yoursquoll want to give to Him I love meditatingMeditation and stillness flow into an upgrade of our peace

I spend a lot of time on peace with the people I disciple I con-

stantly confront them on the issue of peace in their lives I

donrsquot expect them to worry or panic at the same level next year

as they did this year Teir peace must increase and anxiety

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12

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

decrease Peace is a vital fruit

of the SpiritWithout an upgrade in our

capacity to rest in the Lord

we find ourselves running on

adrenaline Tatrsquos okay for a

while but for every adrenaline

high therersquos an adrenaline low Often people get down and

depressed because they have been running on adrenaline andtheyrsquove run out Itrsquos not the pressure of life that gets to us itrsquos

the pressure of how we run it

Peace though is an equalizing pressure If the world is

throwing a thousand pounds of pressure at you from the out-

side peace sends a thousand and one pounds from the inside

Irsquom under pressure wherever I gomdashintense pressure in most

places Everyone wants to see me and talk to me and pull at meand get prayer from me I donrsquot mind itrsquos my job o survive

I have learned to be at peace My rest in God gives me space

Eventually adrenaline will rob our mind and body and will

leave us exhausted Itrsquos okay to be tired in the work but itrsquos not

okay to be tired of the work We must learn to give ourselves

to peace rest and meditation We can operate at the highest

level for many years if we have developed ourselves internallyin preparation

IF THE WORLD IS THROWING

A THOUSA ND P OUNDS OF

PRESSURE AT YOU FROM THE

OUTSIDE983084 P EA CE SENDS A

THOUSAND AND ONE POUNDS

FROM THE INSIDE

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13

GRAHAM COOKE

SONSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

We live our lives in the tension of a paradox between being

and doing Te key to succeeding in this quandary is to always

choose being over doing We must choose to take time out to

rest We all have to do many things but being is just as impor-

tant Tis paradox could be described as the difference betweensonship and stewardship We must learn how to serve the Lord

but we must also explore how to be a son of God God doesnrsquot

want to treat you like a slavemdashHe wants to treat you like a son

One of my mentors Arthur once asked me ldquoGraham do

you want to be a servant of the Lordrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo I answered

ldquoTen donrsquot get upset if He treats you like onerdquo Arthur saidSometimes God commands and I obey Other times He

makes a request of me because He wants to treat me like His

son Christians need to know how to live life as both a servant

and a son Being a son means God gets the best of our day not

just the tail end Te Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a

man who knew how to be both a servant and a son as we read

in Ephesians 983089983089983093-983090983091Terefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ the Father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

8172019 The Language of Promise

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 13: The Language of Promise

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4

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tink of it we are the first fruits of His huge desire to have

a people represent His Excellence Our role in the Earth is toproclaim the fact of Godrsquos outstanding goodness by living the

life of promise that He has set aside for us All Godrsquos promises

are yes And amen in Christ Jesus Paul put it this way in his

letter to the church in Rome

hellipwho has first given to Him that it might be paid back to

Him again For from Him and through Him and to Him

are all things o Him be the glory forever Amen(Romans 983089983089983091983093-983091983094 983118983105983123983106)

It is not possible for us to initiate anything with God Paul

asks who has ever given to God first God initiates we respond

by receiving and then we give back to God the very thing He

gave us in the first place From through and to Him are all

things Everything He wants from us He gives to usTis is amazing wonderful outrageous and mind-bog-

gling stuff Tis means that when the Holy Spirit convicts me

of something He is also relaying the Fatherrsquos willingness to

supply what I lack Terefore

CONVICTION REGARDING OUR INABILITY TO PRAY ALSO

RELEASED THE PROMISE THAT HE WILL HELP US

STRUGGLING WITH UNCLEAN THOUGHTS CONVICTION ALSOBRINGS WITH IT THE PROMISE OF PURITY

PROBLEMS WITH DOUBT983084 UNBELIEF WITH CONVICTION THE

LORD SEEKS TO INITIATE FAITH

Get the message Te promise releases the gift Conviction

seeks to re-establish the divine order Te Holy Spirit points

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5

GRAHAM COOKE

out our need and the provision at the same time Conviction

restores us to being open to the goodness of God From Himthrough Him and to Him are all thingshellipmarvelous

Each of us must see ourselves in that cycle in the man-

ner that the Father has declared o live as part of His cycle of

life we must understand that all of His language to us is full

of promise to us He delights to speak to us and is blessed by

our expectancy

Te tragedy of modern Christianity is that much of it isperformance-oriented We think we have to do something to

get something from God ldquoGod canrsquot possibly like me because

Irsquom not doing anythingrdquo

we say ldquoGod canrsquot love me

I donrsquot pray enough I donrsquot

give enough I donrsquot wor-

ship enough I donrsquot readenoughrdquo But how much

is actually enough We

shouldnrsquot be constantly quantifying ldquoenoughrdquo but we should

be serving God because He loves us Present-day Christians are

quick to fall into the same trap Martha did in Luke 983089983088 think-

ing that we have to prove ourselves worthy of a relationship

with Jesus Being Mary and basking in Jesusrsquo love is a severechallenge for us

Te language of love is something we must all learn We

have to understand how God sees us so that we can see Him

more clearly God loves us and because He loves us we want

to talk to Him Everything we can give to God comes from

ldquoLOVE IS BUT T HE DISCOVERY OF

OURSELVES IN OTHERS983084 AND THE

DELIGHT IN THE RECOGNITIONrdquo

ALEXANDER SMITH

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6

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Him in the first place It begins and ends with God because

intimacy is a cycleIn the natural world we see many examples of this type

of cycle Water falls from the sky and returns to the heavens

by the process of evaporation Te moon does not generate its

own light but reflects the light of the sun in the night sky Te

image in a mirror is nothing more than a reflection of the actual

object Likewise our love for God is a reflection of His love for

us Love begins and ends with GodWe cannot love God on our own initiative but we can give

back that which He has bestowed on us When the Father of

Lights gives us a gift that touches our heart it does something

inside of us We end up returning to God the very thing He has

given us o love God we must be loved by God Itrsquos a wonder-

ful thing to go through our entire lives being loved by God We

are condemned to be loved by Him forever We canrsquot escape itWe have no alternative but to put up with it this is who God is

Parents know an example of this principle when our chil-

dren were growing up and our birthday was approaching most

of us gave them money to buy us a present How do we know

how to do this It is in our 983108983118983105 God is the same way His love

is the currency He gives us so that we can love Him more fully

He gives to us the very thing He wants from us

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7

GRAHAM COOKE

POSSESSED BY GOD

God chose us so that He could be Himself with us He wants

us to see Him as He really is and to fall in love with Him the

same way He has fallen in love with us In our relationship we

must come to a place of mutual declaration as He and the Isra-

elites did in Deuteronomy 983090983094983089983094-983089983097 (983118983113983126)Te 983116983119983122983108 your God commands you this day to fol-

low these decrees and laws carefully observe them

with all your heart and with all your soul

You have declared this day that the 983116983119983122983108 is your God

and that you will walk in his ways that you will keep his

decrees commands and laws and that you will obey him And the 983116983119983122983108 has declared this day that you are his

people his treasured possession as he promised and

that you are to keep all his commands He has declared

that he will set you in praise fame and honor high

above all the nations he has made and that you will be

a people holy to the 983116983119983122983108 your God as he promised

God declares to the Israelites His laws and they in return

declared that they would follow them It was a breakthrough

moment for Israel Just outside of the Promised Land with

their leader Moses winding down his life they finally came to

a point of mutual declaration with God Tis passage actually

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8

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

fulfilled a prophetic conversation Moses and God had shared

forty years earlier in Exodus 983089983097983091-983094 And Moses went up to God and the 983116983119983122983108 called to him from

the mountain saying ldquoTus you shall say to the house of

Jacob and tell the children of Israel lsquoYou have seen what I

did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eaglesrsquo wings

and brought you to Myself Now therefore if you will indeed

obey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be a

special treasure to Me above all people for all the earth is Mine And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a

holy nationrsquo Tese are the words which you shall speak to

the children of Israelrdquo

Moses and Israel had been out of Egypt for just three

months when God spoke these words Te words ldquospecial trea-

surerdquo can also be interpreted as ldquopossessionrdquo ldquoIf you will indeedobey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be My

possessionrdquo God was saying ldquoTe whole earth is Mine but you

will be My special treasurerdquo Tose simple words began a pro-

phetic theme from the heart of God which has echoed through

countless generations

Tis original prophetic blessing was updated and expanded

in Deuteronomy 983095983094-983097For you are a holy people to the 983116983119983122983108 your God the 983116983119983122983108

your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself a spe-

cial treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth

Te 983116983119983122983108 did not set His love on you nor choose you because

you were more in number than any other people for you

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9

GRAHAM COOKE

were the least of all peoples but because the 983116983119983122983108 loves

you and because He would keep the oath which He sworeto your fathers the 983116983119983122983108

has brought you out

with a mighty hand and

redeemed you from the

house of bondage from

the hand of Pharaoh king

of Egypt Terefore knowthat the 983116983119983122983108 your God

He is God the faithful

God who keeps covenant

and mercy for a thou-

sand generations with those who love Him and keep His

commandments

We have been chosen as Godrsquos special treasure not because

of who we are but because of who God is His love cuts away all

of our performance-oriented mentality God chose you because

of who He is He chose you because of what He is like You

werenrsquot chosen because you are deserving or clever or brilliant

or handsome or noble or even good He chose you because He

is good Out of His love and His promises you were selectedas His treasure Godrsquos faithfulness has been the bedrock of His

dealings with humanity throughout time God cannot changemdash

He cannot be anything other than who He is

ldquoEVERYBODY CAN BE GREAThellip

BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN SERVE

YOU DONrsquoT HAVE TO HAVE A

COLLEG E DEG REE TO SERV E

Y O U D O N rsquo T H A V E T O M A K E

YOUR SUBJECT AND VERB AGREE

TO SERVE YOU ONLY NEED A

HEART FULL OF GRACE983084 A SOUL

GENERATED BY LOVErdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

8172019 The Language of Promise

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11

GRAHAM COOKE

Learning to cohabit with God takes time Te pressure of

ministry is intense it can stress us out make us sick even killus unless we know how to rest in the Lord It takes discipline

to bring ourselves to a place of peace before God but it is abso-

lutely necessary to do so It has taken years of practice for me

but on most days I can bring myself to that place of peace

in five or ten seconds It no longer matters what is swirling

around me or threatening me I can still myself before God I

have to I need to be quiet to hear His voice God loves to speakin whispers He rarely answers prayers at the same decibel level

at which they are prayed

ldquoFatherrdquo we can shout at Him ldquoI need to hear Your voicerdquo

ldquoI knowrdquo He whispers back

ldquoSpeak to merdquo we bellow at the top of our lungs

ldquoI amrdquo He whispers

ldquoI need to hear Your voice todayrdquo we blareldquoShut up and listenrdquo He whispers

ldquoBe still and know that I am Godrdquo says Psalm 983092983094983089983088 Medi-

tation is another avenue towards cohabitation with God Te

western church must learn to meditate setting time aside to

think deeply about God It doesnrsquot have to be long just fifteen

minutes or half-an-hour but the more you do it the more time

yoursquoll want to give to Him I love meditatingMeditation and stillness flow into an upgrade of our peace

I spend a lot of time on peace with the people I disciple I con-

stantly confront them on the issue of peace in their lives I

donrsquot expect them to worry or panic at the same level next year

as they did this year Teir peace must increase and anxiety

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12

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

decrease Peace is a vital fruit

of the SpiritWithout an upgrade in our

capacity to rest in the Lord

we find ourselves running on

adrenaline Tatrsquos okay for a

while but for every adrenaline

high therersquos an adrenaline low Often people get down and

depressed because they have been running on adrenaline andtheyrsquove run out Itrsquos not the pressure of life that gets to us itrsquos

the pressure of how we run it

Peace though is an equalizing pressure If the world is

throwing a thousand pounds of pressure at you from the out-

side peace sends a thousand and one pounds from the inside

Irsquom under pressure wherever I gomdashintense pressure in most

places Everyone wants to see me and talk to me and pull at meand get prayer from me I donrsquot mind itrsquos my job o survive

I have learned to be at peace My rest in God gives me space

Eventually adrenaline will rob our mind and body and will

leave us exhausted Itrsquos okay to be tired in the work but itrsquos not

okay to be tired of the work We must learn to give ourselves

to peace rest and meditation We can operate at the highest

level for many years if we have developed ourselves internallyin preparation

IF THE WORLD IS THROWING

A THOUSA ND P OUNDS OF

PRESSURE AT YOU FROM THE

OUTSIDE983084 P EA CE SENDS A

THOUSAND AND ONE POUNDS

FROM THE INSIDE

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13

GRAHAM COOKE

SONSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

We live our lives in the tension of a paradox between being

and doing Te key to succeeding in this quandary is to always

choose being over doing We must choose to take time out to

rest We all have to do many things but being is just as impor-

tant Tis paradox could be described as the difference betweensonship and stewardship We must learn how to serve the Lord

but we must also explore how to be a son of God God doesnrsquot

want to treat you like a slavemdashHe wants to treat you like a son

One of my mentors Arthur once asked me ldquoGraham do

you want to be a servant of the Lordrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo I answered

ldquoTen donrsquot get upset if He treats you like onerdquo Arthur saidSometimes God commands and I obey Other times He

makes a request of me because He wants to treat me like His

son Christians need to know how to live life as both a servant

and a son Being a son means God gets the best of our day not

just the tail end Te Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a

man who knew how to be both a servant and a son as we read

in Ephesians 983089983089983093-983090983091Terefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ the Father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

8172019 The Language of Promise

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

8172019 The Language of Promise

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

8172019 The Language of Promise

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

8172019 The Language of Promise

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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53

GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 14: The Language of Promise

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5

GRAHAM COOKE

out our need and the provision at the same time Conviction

restores us to being open to the goodness of God From Himthrough Him and to Him are all thingshellipmarvelous

Each of us must see ourselves in that cycle in the man-

ner that the Father has declared o live as part of His cycle of

life we must understand that all of His language to us is full

of promise to us He delights to speak to us and is blessed by

our expectancy

Te tragedy of modern Christianity is that much of it isperformance-oriented We think we have to do something to

get something from God ldquoGod canrsquot possibly like me because

Irsquom not doing anythingrdquo

we say ldquoGod canrsquot love me

I donrsquot pray enough I donrsquot

give enough I donrsquot wor-

ship enough I donrsquot readenoughrdquo But how much

is actually enough We

shouldnrsquot be constantly quantifying ldquoenoughrdquo but we should

be serving God because He loves us Present-day Christians are

quick to fall into the same trap Martha did in Luke 983089983088 think-

ing that we have to prove ourselves worthy of a relationship

with Jesus Being Mary and basking in Jesusrsquo love is a severechallenge for us

Te language of love is something we must all learn We

have to understand how God sees us so that we can see Him

more clearly God loves us and because He loves us we want

to talk to Him Everything we can give to God comes from

ldquoLOVE IS BUT T HE DISCOVERY OF

OURSELVES IN OTHERS983084 AND THE

DELIGHT IN THE RECOGNITIONrdquo

ALEXANDER SMITH

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6

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Him in the first place It begins and ends with God because

intimacy is a cycleIn the natural world we see many examples of this type

of cycle Water falls from the sky and returns to the heavens

by the process of evaporation Te moon does not generate its

own light but reflects the light of the sun in the night sky Te

image in a mirror is nothing more than a reflection of the actual

object Likewise our love for God is a reflection of His love for

us Love begins and ends with GodWe cannot love God on our own initiative but we can give

back that which He has bestowed on us When the Father of

Lights gives us a gift that touches our heart it does something

inside of us We end up returning to God the very thing He has

given us o love God we must be loved by God Itrsquos a wonder-

ful thing to go through our entire lives being loved by God We

are condemned to be loved by Him forever We canrsquot escape itWe have no alternative but to put up with it this is who God is

Parents know an example of this principle when our chil-

dren were growing up and our birthday was approaching most

of us gave them money to buy us a present How do we know

how to do this It is in our 983108983118983105 God is the same way His love

is the currency He gives us so that we can love Him more fully

He gives to us the very thing He wants from us

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7

GRAHAM COOKE

POSSESSED BY GOD

God chose us so that He could be Himself with us He wants

us to see Him as He really is and to fall in love with Him the

same way He has fallen in love with us In our relationship we

must come to a place of mutual declaration as He and the Isra-

elites did in Deuteronomy 983090983094983089983094-983089983097 (983118983113983126)Te 983116983119983122983108 your God commands you this day to fol-

low these decrees and laws carefully observe them

with all your heart and with all your soul

You have declared this day that the 983116983119983122983108 is your God

and that you will walk in his ways that you will keep his

decrees commands and laws and that you will obey him And the 983116983119983122983108 has declared this day that you are his

people his treasured possession as he promised and

that you are to keep all his commands He has declared

that he will set you in praise fame and honor high

above all the nations he has made and that you will be

a people holy to the 983116983119983122983108 your God as he promised

God declares to the Israelites His laws and they in return

declared that they would follow them It was a breakthrough

moment for Israel Just outside of the Promised Land with

their leader Moses winding down his life they finally came to

a point of mutual declaration with God Tis passage actually

8172019 The Language of Promise

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8

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

fulfilled a prophetic conversation Moses and God had shared

forty years earlier in Exodus 983089983097983091-983094 And Moses went up to God and the 983116983119983122983108 called to him from

the mountain saying ldquoTus you shall say to the house of

Jacob and tell the children of Israel lsquoYou have seen what I

did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eaglesrsquo wings

and brought you to Myself Now therefore if you will indeed

obey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be a

special treasure to Me above all people for all the earth is Mine And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a

holy nationrsquo Tese are the words which you shall speak to

the children of Israelrdquo

Moses and Israel had been out of Egypt for just three

months when God spoke these words Te words ldquospecial trea-

surerdquo can also be interpreted as ldquopossessionrdquo ldquoIf you will indeedobey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be My

possessionrdquo God was saying ldquoTe whole earth is Mine but you

will be My special treasurerdquo Tose simple words began a pro-

phetic theme from the heart of God which has echoed through

countless generations

Tis original prophetic blessing was updated and expanded

in Deuteronomy 983095983094-983097For you are a holy people to the 983116983119983122983108 your God the 983116983119983122983108

your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself a spe-

cial treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth

Te 983116983119983122983108 did not set His love on you nor choose you because

you were more in number than any other people for you

8172019 The Language of Promise

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9

GRAHAM COOKE

were the least of all peoples but because the 983116983119983122983108 loves

you and because He would keep the oath which He sworeto your fathers the 983116983119983122983108

has brought you out

with a mighty hand and

redeemed you from the

house of bondage from

the hand of Pharaoh king

of Egypt Terefore knowthat the 983116983119983122983108 your God

He is God the faithful

God who keeps covenant

and mercy for a thou-

sand generations with those who love Him and keep His

commandments

We have been chosen as Godrsquos special treasure not because

of who we are but because of who God is His love cuts away all

of our performance-oriented mentality God chose you because

of who He is He chose you because of what He is like You

werenrsquot chosen because you are deserving or clever or brilliant

or handsome or noble or even good He chose you because He

is good Out of His love and His promises you were selectedas His treasure Godrsquos faithfulness has been the bedrock of His

dealings with humanity throughout time God cannot changemdash

He cannot be anything other than who He is

ldquoEVERYBODY CAN BE GREAThellip

BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN SERVE

YOU DONrsquoT HAVE TO HAVE A

COLLEG E DEG REE TO SERV E

Y O U D O N rsquo T H A V E T O M A K E

YOUR SUBJECT AND VERB AGREE

TO SERVE YOU ONLY NEED A

HEART FULL OF GRACE983084 A SOUL

GENERATED BY LOVErdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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11

GRAHAM COOKE

Learning to cohabit with God takes time Te pressure of

ministry is intense it can stress us out make us sick even killus unless we know how to rest in the Lord It takes discipline

to bring ourselves to a place of peace before God but it is abso-

lutely necessary to do so It has taken years of practice for me

but on most days I can bring myself to that place of peace

in five or ten seconds It no longer matters what is swirling

around me or threatening me I can still myself before God I

have to I need to be quiet to hear His voice God loves to speakin whispers He rarely answers prayers at the same decibel level

at which they are prayed

ldquoFatherrdquo we can shout at Him ldquoI need to hear Your voicerdquo

ldquoI knowrdquo He whispers back

ldquoSpeak to merdquo we bellow at the top of our lungs

ldquoI amrdquo He whispers

ldquoI need to hear Your voice todayrdquo we blareldquoShut up and listenrdquo He whispers

ldquoBe still and know that I am Godrdquo says Psalm 983092983094983089983088 Medi-

tation is another avenue towards cohabitation with God Te

western church must learn to meditate setting time aside to

think deeply about God It doesnrsquot have to be long just fifteen

minutes or half-an-hour but the more you do it the more time

yoursquoll want to give to Him I love meditatingMeditation and stillness flow into an upgrade of our peace

I spend a lot of time on peace with the people I disciple I con-

stantly confront them on the issue of peace in their lives I

donrsquot expect them to worry or panic at the same level next year

as they did this year Teir peace must increase and anxiety

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12

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

decrease Peace is a vital fruit

of the SpiritWithout an upgrade in our

capacity to rest in the Lord

we find ourselves running on

adrenaline Tatrsquos okay for a

while but for every adrenaline

high therersquos an adrenaline low Often people get down and

depressed because they have been running on adrenaline andtheyrsquove run out Itrsquos not the pressure of life that gets to us itrsquos

the pressure of how we run it

Peace though is an equalizing pressure If the world is

throwing a thousand pounds of pressure at you from the out-

side peace sends a thousand and one pounds from the inside

Irsquom under pressure wherever I gomdashintense pressure in most

places Everyone wants to see me and talk to me and pull at meand get prayer from me I donrsquot mind itrsquos my job o survive

I have learned to be at peace My rest in God gives me space

Eventually adrenaline will rob our mind and body and will

leave us exhausted Itrsquos okay to be tired in the work but itrsquos not

okay to be tired of the work We must learn to give ourselves

to peace rest and meditation We can operate at the highest

level for many years if we have developed ourselves internallyin preparation

IF THE WORLD IS THROWING

A THOUSA ND P OUNDS OF

PRESSURE AT YOU FROM THE

OUTSIDE983084 P EA CE SENDS A

THOUSAND AND ONE POUNDS

FROM THE INSIDE

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13

GRAHAM COOKE

SONSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

We live our lives in the tension of a paradox between being

and doing Te key to succeeding in this quandary is to always

choose being over doing We must choose to take time out to

rest We all have to do many things but being is just as impor-

tant Tis paradox could be described as the difference betweensonship and stewardship We must learn how to serve the Lord

but we must also explore how to be a son of God God doesnrsquot

want to treat you like a slavemdashHe wants to treat you like a son

One of my mentors Arthur once asked me ldquoGraham do

you want to be a servant of the Lordrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo I answered

ldquoTen donrsquot get upset if He treats you like onerdquo Arthur saidSometimes God commands and I obey Other times He

makes a request of me because He wants to treat me like His

son Christians need to know how to live life as both a servant

and a son Being a son means God gets the best of our day not

just the tail end Te Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a

man who knew how to be both a servant and a son as we read

in Ephesians 983089983089983093-983090983091Terefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ the Father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 15: The Language of Promise

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6

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Him in the first place It begins and ends with God because

intimacy is a cycleIn the natural world we see many examples of this type

of cycle Water falls from the sky and returns to the heavens

by the process of evaporation Te moon does not generate its

own light but reflects the light of the sun in the night sky Te

image in a mirror is nothing more than a reflection of the actual

object Likewise our love for God is a reflection of His love for

us Love begins and ends with GodWe cannot love God on our own initiative but we can give

back that which He has bestowed on us When the Father of

Lights gives us a gift that touches our heart it does something

inside of us We end up returning to God the very thing He has

given us o love God we must be loved by God Itrsquos a wonder-

ful thing to go through our entire lives being loved by God We

are condemned to be loved by Him forever We canrsquot escape itWe have no alternative but to put up with it this is who God is

Parents know an example of this principle when our chil-

dren were growing up and our birthday was approaching most

of us gave them money to buy us a present How do we know

how to do this It is in our 983108983118983105 God is the same way His love

is the currency He gives us so that we can love Him more fully

He gives to us the very thing He wants from us

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7

GRAHAM COOKE

POSSESSED BY GOD

God chose us so that He could be Himself with us He wants

us to see Him as He really is and to fall in love with Him the

same way He has fallen in love with us In our relationship we

must come to a place of mutual declaration as He and the Isra-

elites did in Deuteronomy 983090983094983089983094-983089983097 (983118983113983126)Te 983116983119983122983108 your God commands you this day to fol-

low these decrees and laws carefully observe them

with all your heart and with all your soul

You have declared this day that the 983116983119983122983108 is your God

and that you will walk in his ways that you will keep his

decrees commands and laws and that you will obey him And the 983116983119983122983108 has declared this day that you are his

people his treasured possession as he promised and

that you are to keep all his commands He has declared

that he will set you in praise fame and honor high

above all the nations he has made and that you will be

a people holy to the 983116983119983122983108 your God as he promised

God declares to the Israelites His laws and they in return

declared that they would follow them It was a breakthrough

moment for Israel Just outside of the Promised Land with

their leader Moses winding down his life they finally came to

a point of mutual declaration with God Tis passage actually

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8

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

fulfilled a prophetic conversation Moses and God had shared

forty years earlier in Exodus 983089983097983091-983094 And Moses went up to God and the 983116983119983122983108 called to him from

the mountain saying ldquoTus you shall say to the house of

Jacob and tell the children of Israel lsquoYou have seen what I

did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eaglesrsquo wings

and brought you to Myself Now therefore if you will indeed

obey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be a

special treasure to Me above all people for all the earth is Mine And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a

holy nationrsquo Tese are the words which you shall speak to

the children of Israelrdquo

Moses and Israel had been out of Egypt for just three

months when God spoke these words Te words ldquospecial trea-

surerdquo can also be interpreted as ldquopossessionrdquo ldquoIf you will indeedobey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be My

possessionrdquo God was saying ldquoTe whole earth is Mine but you

will be My special treasurerdquo Tose simple words began a pro-

phetic theme from the heart of God which has echoed through

countless generations

Tis original prophetic blessing was updated and expanded

in Deuteronomy 983095983094-983097For you are a holy people to the 983116983119983122983108 your God the 983116983119983122983108

your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself a spe-

cial treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth

Te 983116983119983122983108 did not set His love on you nor choose you because

you were more in number than any other people for you

8172019 The Language of Promise

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9

GRAHAM COOKE

were the least of all peoples but because the 983116983119983122983108 loves

you and because He would keep the oath which He sworeto your fathers the 983116983119983122983108

has brought you out

with a mighty hand and

redeemed you from the

house of bondage from

the hand of Pharaoh king

of Egypt Terefore knowthat the 983116983119983122983108 your God

He is God the faithful

God who keeps covenant

and mercy for a thou-

sand generations with those who love Him and keep His

commandments

We have been chosen as Godrsquos special treasure not because

of who we are but because of who God is His love cuts away all

of our performance-oriented mentality God chose you because

of who He is He chose you because of what He is like You

werenrsquot chosen because you are deserving or clever or brilliant

or handsome or noble or even good He chose you because He

is good Out of His love and His promises you were selectedas His treasure Godrsquos faithfulness has been the bedrock of His

dealings with humanity throughout time God cannot changemdash

He cannot be anything other than who He is

ldquoEVERYBODY CAN BE GREAThellip

BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN SERVE

YOU DONrsquoT HAVE TO HAVE A

COLLEG E DEG REE TO SERV E

Y O U D O N rsquo T H A V E T O M A K E

YOUR SUBJECT AND VERB AGREE

TO SERVE YOU ONLY NEED A

HEART FULL OF GRACE983084 A SOUL

GENERATED BY LOVErdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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11

GRAHAM COOKE

Learning to cohabit with God takes time Te pressure of

ministry is intense it can stress us out make us sick even killus unless we know how to rest in the Lord It takes discipline

to bring ourselves to a place of peace before God but it is abso-

lutely necessary to do so It has taken years of practice for me

but on most days I can bring myself to that place of peace

in five or ten seconds It no longer matters what is swirling

around me or threatening me I can still myself before God I

have to I need to be quiet to hear His voice God loves to speakin whispers He rarely answers prayers at the same decibel level

at which they are prayed

ldquoFatherrdquo we can shout at Him ldquoI need to hear Your voicerdquo

ldquoI knowrdquo He whispers back

ldquoSpeak to merdquo we bellow at the top of our lungs

ldquoI amrdquo He whispers

ldquoI need to hear Your voice todayrdquo we blareldquoShut up and listenrdquo He whispers

ldquoBe still and know that I am Godrdquo says Psalm 983092983094983089983088 Medi-

tation is another avenue towards cohabitation with God Te

western church must learn to meditate setting time aside to

think deeply about God It doesnrsquot have to be long just fifteen

minutes or half-an-hour but the more you do it the more time

yoursquoll want to give to Him I love meditatingMeditation and stillness flow into an upgrade of our peace

I spend a lot of time on peace with the people I disciple I con-

stantly confront them on the issue of peace in their lives I

donrsquot expect them to worry or panic at the same level next year

as they did this year Teir peace must increase and anxiety

8172019 The Language of Promise

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12

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

decrease Peace is a vital fruit

of the SpiritWithout an upgrade in our

capacity to rest in the Lord

we find ourselves running on

adrenaline Tatrsquos okay for a

while but for every adrenaline

high therersquos an adrenaline low Often people get down and

depressed because they have been running on adrenaline andtheyrsquove run out Itrsquos not the pressure of life that gets to us itrsquos

the pressure of how we run it

Peace though is an equalizing pressure If the world is

throwing a thousand pounds of pressure at you from the out-

side peace sends a thousand and one pounds from the inside

Irsquom under pressure wherever I gomdashintense pressure in most

places Everyone wants to see me and talk to me and pull at meand get prayer from me I donrsquot mind itrsquos my job o survive

I have learned to be at peace My rest in God gives me space

Eventually adrenaline will rob our mind and body and will

leave us exhausted Itrsquos okay to be tired in the work but itrsquos not

okay to be tired of the work We must learn to give ourselves

to peace rest and meditation We can operate at the highest

level for many years if we have developed ourselves internallyin preparation

IF THE WORLD IS THROWING

A THOUSA ND P OUNDS OF

PRESSURE AT YOU FROM THE

OUTSIDE983084 P EA CE SENDS A

THOUSAND AND ONE POUNDS

FROM THE INSIDE

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13

GRAHAM COOKE

SONSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

We live our lives in the tension of a paradox between being

and doing Te key to succeeding in this quandary is to always

choose being over doing We must choose to take time out to

rest We all have to do many things but being is just as impor-

tant Tis paradox could be described as the difference betweensonship and stewardship We must learn how to serve the Lord

but we must also explore how to be a son of God God doesnrsquot

want to treat you like a slavemdashHe wants to treat you like a son

One of my mentors Arthur once asked me ldquoGraham do

you want to be a servant of the Lordrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo I answered

ldquoTen donrsquot get upset if He treats you like onerdquo Arthur saidSometimes God commands and I obey Other times He

makes a request of me because He wants to treat me like His

son Christians need to know how to live life as both a servant

and a son Being a son means God gets the best of our day not

just the tail end Te Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a

man who knew how to be both a servant and a son as we read

in Ephesians 983089983089983093-983090983091Terefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ the Father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding

8172019 The Language of Promise

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

8172019 The Language of Promise

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

8172019 The Language of Promise

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 16: The Language of Promise

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7

GRAHAM COOKE

POSSESSED BY GOD

God chose us so that He could be Himself with us He wants

us to see Him as He really is and to fall in love with Him the

same way He has fallen in love with us In our relationship we

must come to a place of mutual declaration as He and the Isra-

elites did in Deuteronomy 983090983094983089983094-983089983097 (983118983113983126)Te 983116983119983122983108 your God commands you this day to fol-

low these decrees and laws carefully observe them

with all your heart and with all your soul

You have declared this day that the 983116983119983122983108 is your God

and that you will walk in his ways that you will keep his

decrees commands and laws and that you will obey him And the 983116983119983122983108 has declared this day that you are his

people his treasured possession as he promised and

that you are to keep all his commands He has declared

that he will set you in praise fame and honor high

above all the nations he has made and that you will be

a people holy to the 983116983119983122983108 your God as he promised

God declares to the Israelites His laws and they in return

declared that they would follow them It was a breakthrough

moment for Israel Just outside of the Promised Land with

their leader Moses winding down his life they finally came to

a point of mutual declaration with God Tis passage actually

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8

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

fulfilled a prophetic conversation Moses and God had shared

forty years earlier in Exodus 983089983097983091-983094 And Moses went up to God and the 983116983119983122983108 called to him from

the mountain saying ldquoTus you shall say to the house of

Jacob and tell the children of Israel lsquoYou have seen what I

did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eaglesrsquo wings

and brought you to Myself Now therefore if you will indeed

obey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be a

special treasure to Me above all people for all the earth is Mine And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a

holy nationrsquo Tese are the words which you shall speak to

the children of Israelrdquo

Moses and Israel had been out of Egypt for just three

months when God spoke these words Te words ldquospecial trea-

surerdquo can also be interpreted as ldquopossessionrdquo ldquoIf you will indeedobey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be My

possessionrdquo God was saying ldquoTe whole earth is Mine but you

will be My special treasurerdquo Tose simple words began a pro-

phetic theme from the heart of God which has echoed through

countless generations

Tis original prophetic blessing was updated and expanded

in Deuteronomy 983095983094-983097For you are a holy people to the 983116983119983122983108 your God the 983116983119983122983108

your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself a spe-

cial treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth

Te 983116983119983122983108 did not set His love on you nor choose you because

you were more in number than any other people for you

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9

GRAHAM COOKE

were the least of all peoples but because the 983116983119983122983108 loves

you and because He would keep the oath which He sworeto your fathers the 983116983119983122983108

has brought you out

with a mighty hand and

redeemed you from the

house of bondage from

the hand of Pharaoh king

of Egypt Terefore knowthat the 983116983119983122983108 your God

He is God the faithful

God who keeps covenant

and mercy for a thou-

sand generations with those who love Him and keep His

commandments

We have been chosen as Godrsquos special treasure not because

of who we are but because of who God is His love cuts away all

of our performance-oriented mentality God chose you because

of who He is He chose you because of what He is like You

werenrsquot chosen because you are deserving or clever or brilliant

or handsome or noble or even good He chose you because He

is good Out of His love and His promises you were selectedas His treasure Godrsquos faithfulness has been the bedrock of His

dealings with humanity throughout time God cannot changemdash

He cannot be anything other than who He is

ldquoEVERYBODY CAN BE GREAThellip

BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN SERVE

YOU DONrsquoT HAVE TO HAVE A

COLLEG E DEG REE TO SERV E

Y O U D O N rsquo T H A V E T O M A K E

YOUR SUBJECT AND VERB AGREE

TO SERVE YOU ONLY NEED A

HEART FULL OF GRACE983084 A SOUL

GENERATED BY LOVErdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

8172019 The Language of Promise

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11

GRAHAM COOKE

Learning to cohabit with God takes time Te pressure of

ministry is intense it can stress us out make us sick even killus unless we know how to rest in the Lord It takes discipline

to bring ourselves to a place of peace before God but it is abso-

lutely necessary to do so It has taken years of practice for me

but on most days I can bring myself to that place of peace

in five or ten seconds It no longer matters what is swirling

around me or threatening me I can still myself before God I

have to I need to be quiet to hear His voice God loves to speakin whispers He rarely answers prayers at the same decibel level

at which they are prayed

ldquoFatherrdquo we can shout at Him ldquoI need to hear Your voicerdquo

ldquoI knowrdquo He whispers back

ldquoSpeak to merdquo we bellow at the top of our lungs

ldquoI amrdquo He whispers

ldquoI need to hear Your voice todayrdquo we blareldquoShut up and listenrdquo He whispers

ldquoBe still and know that I am Godrdquo says Psalm 983092983094983089983088 Medi-

tation is another avenue towards cohabitation with God Te

western church must learn to meditate setting time aside to

think deeply about God It doesnrsquot have to be long just fifteen

minutes or half-an-hour but the more you do it the more time

yoursquoll want to give to Him I love meditatingMeditation and stillness flow into an upgrade of our peace

I spend a lot of time on peace with the people I disciple I con-

stantly confront them on the issue of peace in their lives I

donrsquot expect them to worry or panic at the same level next year

as they did this year Teir peace must increase and anxiety

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12

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

decrease Peace is a vital fruit

of the SpiritWithout an upgrade in our

capacity to rest in the Lord

we find ourselves running on

adrenaline Tatrsquos okay for a

while but for every adrenaline

high therersquos an adrenaline low Often people get down and

depressed because they have been running on adrenaline andtheyrsquove run out Itrsquos not the pressure of life that gets to us itrsquos

the pressure of how we run it

Peace though is an equalizing pressure If the world is

throwing a thousand pounds of pressure at you from the out-

side peace sends a thousand and one pounds from the inside

Irsquom under pressure wherever I gomdashintense pressure in most

places Everyone wants to see me and talk to me and pull at meand get prayer from me I donrsquot mind itrsquos my job o survive

I have learned to be at peace My rest in God gives me space

Eventually adrenaline will rob our mind and body and will

leave us exhausted Itrsquos okay to be tired in the work but itrsquos not

okay to be tired of the work We must learn to give ourselves

to peace rest and meditation We can operate at the highest

level for many years if we have developed ourselves internallyin preparation

IF THE WORLD IS THROWING

A THOUSA ND P OUNDS OF

PRESSURE AT YOU FROM THE

OUTSIDE983084 P EA CE SENDS A

THOUSAND AND ONE POUNDS

FROM THE INSIDE

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13

GRAHAM COOKE

SONSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

We live our lives in the tension of a paradox between being

and doing Te key to succeeding in this quandary is to always

choose being over doing We must choose to take time out to

rest We all have to do many things but being is just as impor-

tant Tis paradox could be described as the difference betweensonship and stewardship We must learn how to serve the Lord

but we must also explore how to be a son of God God doesnrsquot

want to treat you like a slavemdashHe wants to treat you like a son

One of my mentors Arthur once asked me ldquoGraham do

you want to be a servant of the Lordrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo I answered

ldquoTen donrsquot get upset if He treats you like onerdquo Arthur saidSometimes God commands and I obey Other times He

makes a request of me because He wants to treat me like His

son Christians need to know how to live life as both a servant

and a son Being a son means God gets the best of our day not

just the tail end Te Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a

man who knew how to be both a servant and a son as we read

in Ephesians 983089983089983093-983090983091Terefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ the Father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

8172019 The Language of Promise

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

8172019 The Language of Promise

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

8172019 The Language of Promise

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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53

GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 17: The Language of Promise

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8

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

fulfilled a prophetic conversation Moses and God had shared

forty years earlier in Exodus 983089983097983091-983094 And Moses went up to God and the 983116983119983122983108 called to him from

the mountain saying ldquoTus you shall say to the house of

Jacob and tell the children of Israel lsquoYou have seen what I

did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eaglesrsquo wings

and brought you to Myself Now therefore if you will indeed

obey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be a

special treasure to Me above all people for all the earth is Mine And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a

holy nationrsquo Tese are the words which you shall speak to

the children of Israelrdquo

Moses and Israel had been out of Egypt for just three

months when God spoke these words Te words ldquospecial trea-

surerdquo can also be interpreted as ldquopossessionrdquo ldquoIf you will indeedobey My voice and keep My covenant then you shall be My

possessionrdquo God was saying ldquoTe whole earth is Mine but you

will be My special treasurerdquo Tose simple words began a pro-

phetic theme from the heart of God which has echoed through

countless generations

Tis original prophetic blessing was updated and expanded

in Deuteronomy 983095983094-983097For you are a holy people to the 983116983119983122983108 your God the 983116983119983122983108

your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself a spe-

cial treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth

Te 983116983119983122983108 did not set His love on you nor choose you because

you were more in number than any other people for you

8172019 The Language of Promise

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9

GRAHAM COOKE

were the least of all peoples but because the 983116983119983122983108 loves

you and because He would keep the oath which He sworeto your fathers the 983116983119983122983108

has brought you out

with a mighty hand and

redeemed you from the

house of bondage from

the hand of Pharaoh king

of Egypt Terefore knowthat the 983116983119983122983108 your God

He is God the faithful

God who keeps covenant

and mercy for a thou-

sand generations with those who love Him and keep His

commandments

We have been chosen as Godrsquos special treasure not because

of who we are but because of who God is His love cuts away all

of our performance-oriented mentality God chose you because

of who He is He chose you because of what He is like You

werenrsquot chosen because you are deserving or clever or brilliant

or handsome or noble or even good He chose you because He

is good Out of His love and His promises you were selectedas His treasure Godrsquos faithfulness has been the bedrock of His

dealings with humanity throughout time God cannot changemdash

He cannot be anything other than who He is

ldquoEVERYBODY CAN BE GREAThellip

BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN SERVE

YOU DONrsquoT HAVE TO HAVE A

COLLEG E DEG REE TO SERV E

Y O U D O N rsquo T H A V E T O M A K E

YOUR SUBJECT AND VERB AGREE

TO SERVE YOU ONLY NEED A

HEART FULL OF GRACE983084 A SOUL

GENERATED BY LOVErdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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11

GRAHAM COOKE

Learning to cohabit with God takes time Te pressure of

ministry is intense it can stress us out make us sick even killus unless we know how to rest in the Lord It takes discipline

to bring ourselves to a place of peace before God but it is abso-

lutely necessary to do so It has taken years of practice for me

but on most days I can bring myself to that place of peace

in five or ten seconds It no longer matters what is swirling

around me or threatening me I can still myself before God I

have to I need to be quiet to hear His voice God loves to speakin whispers He rarely answers prayers at the same decibel level

at which they are prayed

ldquoFatherrdquo we can shout at Him ldquoI need to hear Your voicerdquo

ldquoI knowrdquo He whispers back

ldquoSpeak to merdquo we bellow at the top of our lungs

ldquoI amrdquo He whispers

ldquoI need to hear Your voice todayrdquo we blareldquoShut up and listenrdquo He whispers

ldquoBe still and know that I am Godrdquo says Psalm 983092983094983089983088 Medi-

tation is another avenue towards cohabitation with God Te

western church must learn to meditate setting time aside to

think deeply about God It doesnrsquot have to be long just fifteen

minutes or half-an-hour but the more you do it the more time

yoursquoll want to give to Him I love meditatingMeditation and stillness flow into an upgrade of our peace

I spend a lot of time on peace with the people I disciple I con-

stantly confront them on the issue of peace in their lives I

donrsquot expect them to worry or panic at the same level next year

as they did this year Teir peace must increase and anxiety

8172019 The Language of Promise

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12

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

decrease Peace is a vital fruit

of the SpiritWithout an upgrade in our

capacity to rest in the Lord

we find ourselves running on

adrenaline Tatrsquos okay for a

while but for every adrenaline

high therersquos an adrenaline low Often people get down and

depressed because they have been running on adrenaline andtheyrsquove run out Itrsquos not the pressure of life that gets to us itrsquos

the pressure of how we run it

Peace though is an equalizing pressure If the world is

throwing a thousand pounds of pressure at you from the out-

side peace sends a thousand and one pounds from the inside

Irsquom under pressure wherever I gomdashintense pressure in most

places Everyone wants to see me and talk to me and pull at meand get prayer from me I donrsquot mind itrsquos my job o survive

I have learned to be at peace My rest in God gives me space

Eventually adrenaline will rob our mind and body and will

leave us exhausted Itrsquos okay to be tired in the work but itrsquos not

okay to be tired of the work We must learn to give ourselves

to peace rest and meditation We can operate at the highest

level for many years if we have developed ourselves internallyin preparation

IF THE WORLD IS THROWING

A THOUSA ND P OUNDS OF

PRESSURE AT YOU FROM THE

OUTSIDE983084 P EA CE SENDS A

THOUSAND AND ONE POUNDS

FROM THE INSIDE

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13

GRAHAM COOKE

SONSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

We live our lives in the tension of a paradox between being

and doing Te key to succeeding in this quandary is to always

choose being over doing We must choose to take time out to

rest We all have to do many things but being is just as impor-

tant Tis paradox could be described as the difference betweensonship and stewardship We must learn how to serve the Lord

but we must also explore how to be a son of God God doesnrsquot

want to treat you like a slavemdashHe wants to treat you like a son

One of my mentors Arthur once asked me ldquoGraham do

you want to be a servant of the Lordrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo I answered

ldquoTen donrsquot get upset if He treats you like onerdquo Arthur saidSometimes God commands and I obey Other times He

makes a request of me because He wants to treat me like His

son Christians need to know how to live life as both a servant

and a son Being a son means God gets the best of our day not

just the tail end Te Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a

man who knew how to be both a servant and a son as we read

in Ephesians 983089983089983093-983090983091Terefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ the Father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 18: The Language of Promise

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9

GRAHAM COOKE

were the least of all peoples but because the 983116983119983122983108 loves

you and because He would keep the oath which He sworeto your fathers the 983116983119983122983108

has brought you out

with a mighty hand and

redeemed you from the

house of bondage from

the hand of Pharaoh king

of Egypt Terefore knowthat the 983116983119983122983108 your God

He is God the faithful

God who keeps covenant

and mercy for a thou-

sand generations with those who love Him and keep His

commandments

We have been chosen as Godrsquos special treasure not because

of who we are but because of who God is His love cuts away all

of our performance-oriented mentality God chose you because

of who He is He chose you because of what He is like You

werenrsquot chosen because you are deserving or clever or brilliant

or handsome or noble or even good He chose you because He

is good Out of His love and His promises you were selectedas His treasure Godrsquos faithfulness has been the bedrock of His

dealings with humanity throughout time God cannot changemdash

He cannot be anything other than who He is

ldquoEVERYBODY CAN BE GREAThellip

BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN SERVE

YOU DONrsquoT HAVE TO HAVE A

COLLEG E DEG REE TO SERV E

Y O U D O N rsquo T H A V E T O M A K E

YOUR SUBJECT AND VERB AGREE

TO SERVE YOU ONLY NEED A

HEART FULL OF GRACE983084 A SOUL

GENERATED BY LOVErdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

8172019 The Language of Promise

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11

GRAHAM COOKE

Learning to cohabit with God takes time Te pressure of

ministry is intense it can stress us out make us sick even killus unless we know how to rest in the Lord It takes discipline

to bring ourselves to a place of peace before God but it is abso-

lutely necessary to do so It has taken years of practice for me

but on most days I can bring myself to that place of peace

in five or ten seconds It no longer matters what is swirling

around me or threatening me I can still myself before God I

have to I need to be quiet to hear His voice God loves to speakin whispers He rarely answers prayers at the same decibel level

at which they are prayed

ldquoFatherrdquo we can shout at Him ldquoI need to hear Your voicerdquo

ldquoI knowrdquo He whispers back

ldquoSpeak to merdquo we bellow at the top of our lungs

ldquoI amrdquo He whispers

ldquoI need to hear Your voice todayrdquo we blareldquoShut up and listenrdquo He whispers

ldquoBe still and know that I am Godrdquo says Psalm 983092983094983089983088 Medi-

tation is another avenue towards cohabitation with God Te

western church must learn to meditate setting time aside to

think deeply about God It doesnrsquot have to be long just fifteen

minutes or half-an-hour but the more you do it the more time

yoursquoll want to give to Him I love meditatingMeditation and stillness flow into an upgrade of our peace

I spend a lot of time on peace with the people I disciple I con-

stantly confront them on the issue of peace in their lives I

donrsquot expect them to worry or panic at the same level next year

as they did this year Teir peace must increase and anxiety

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12

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

decrease Peace is a vital fruit

of the SpiritWithout an upgrade in our

capacity to rest in the Lord

we find ourselves running on

adrenaline Tatrsquos okay for a

while but for every adrenaline

high therersquos an adrenaline low Often people get down and

depressed because they have been running on adrenaline andtheyrsquove run out Itrsquos not the pressure of life that gets to us itrsquos

the pressure of how we run it

Peace though is an equalizing pressure If the world is

throwing a thousand pounds of pressure at you from the out-

side peace sends a thousand and one pounds from the inside

Irsquom under pressure wherever I gomdashintense pressure in most

places Everyone wants to see me and talk to me and pull at meand get prayer from me I donrsquot mind itrsquos my job o survive

I have learned to be at peace My rest in God gives me space

Eventually adrenaline will rob our mind and body and will

leave us exhausted Itrsquos okay to be tired in the work but itrsquos not

okay to be tired of the work We must learn to give ourselves

to peace rest and meditation We can operate at the highest

level for many years if we have developed ourselves internallyin preparation

IF THE WORLD IS THROWING

A THOUSA ND P OUNDS OF

PRESSURE AT YOU FROM THE

OUTSIDE983084 P EA CE SENDS A

THOUSAND AND ONE POUNDS

FROM THE INSIDE

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13

GRAHAM COOKE

SONSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

We live our lives in the tension of a paradox between being

and doing Te key to succeeding in this quandary is to always

choose being over doing We must choose to take time out to

rest We all have to do many things but being is just as impor-

tant Tis paradox could be described as the difference betweensonship and stewardship We must learn how to serve the Lord

but we must also explore how to be a son of God God doesnrsquot

want to treat you like a slavemdashHe wants to treat you like a son

One of my mentors Arthur once asked me ldquoGraham do

you want to be a servant of the Lordrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo I answered

ldquoTen donrsquot get upset if He treats you like onerdquo Arthur saidSometimes God commands and I obey Other times He

makes a request of me because He wants to treat me like His

son Christians need to know how to live life as both a servant

and a son Being a son means God gets the best of our day not

just the tail end Te Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a

man who knew how to be both a servant and a son as we read

in Ephesians 983089983089983093-983090983091Terefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ the Father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

8172019 The Language of Promise

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

8172019 The Language of Promise

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

8172019 The Language of Promise

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

8172019 The Language of Promise

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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53

GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 19: The Language of Promise

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11

GRAHAM COOKE

Learning to cohabit with God takes time Te pressure of

ministry is intense it can stress us out make us sick even killus unless we know how to rest in the Lord It takes discipline

to bring ourselves to a place of peace before God but it is abso-

lutely necessary to do so It has taken years of practice for me

but on most days I can bring myself to that place of peace

in five or ten seconds It no longer matters what is swirling

around me or threatening me I can still myself before God I

have to I need to be quiet to hear His voice God loves to speakin whispers He rarely answers prayers at the same decibel level

at which they are prayed

ldquoFatherrdquo we can shout at Him ldquoI need to hear Your voicerdquo

ldquoI knowrdquo He whispers back

ldquoSpeak to merdquo we bellow at the top of our lungs

ldquoI amrdquo He whispers

ldquoI need to hear Your voice todayrdquo we blareldquoShut up and listenrdquo He whispers

ldquoBe still and know that I am Godrdquo says Psalm 983092983094983089983088 Medi-

tation is another avenue towards cohabitation with God Te

western church must learn to meditate setting time aside to

think deeply about God It doesnrsquot have to be long just fifteen

minutes or half-an-hour but the more you do it the more time

yoursquoll want to give to Him I love meditatingMeditation and stillness flow into an upgrade of our peace

I spend a lot of time on peace with the people I disciple I con-

stantly confront them on the issue of peace in their lives I

donrsquot expect them to worry or panic at the same level next year

as they did this year Teir peace must increase and anxiety

8172019 The Language of Promise

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12

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

decrease Peace is a vital fruit

of the SpiritWithout an upgrade in our

capacity to rest in the Lord

we find ourselves running on

adrenaline Tatrsquos okay for a

while but for every adrenaline

high therersquos an adrenaline low Often people get down and

depressed because they have been running on adrenaline andtheyrsquove run out Itrsquos not the pressure of life that gets to us itrsquos

the pressure of how we run it

Peace though is an equalizing pressure If the world is

throwing a thousand pounds of pressure at you from the out-

side peace sends a thousand and one pounds from the inside

Irsquom under pressure wherever I gomdashintense pressure in most

places Everyone wants to see me and talk to me and pull at meand get prayer from me I donrsquot mind itrsquos my job o survive

I have learned to be at peace My rest in God gives me space

Eventually adrenaline will rob our mind and body and will

leave us exhausted Itrsquos okay to be tired in the work but itrsquos not

okay to be tired of the work We must learn to give ourselves

to peace rest and meditation We can operate at the highest

level for many years if we have developed ourselves internallyin preparation

IF THE WORLD IS THROWING

A THOUSA ND P OUNDS OF

PRESSURE AT YOU FROM THE

OUTSIDE983084 P EA CE SENDS A

THOUSAND AND ONE POUNDS

FROM THE INSIDE

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13

GRAHAM COOKE

SONSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

We live our lives in the tension of a paradox between being

and doing Te key to succeeding in this quandary is to always

choose being over doing We must choose to take time out to

rest We all have to do many things but being is just as impor-

tant Tis paradox could be described as the difference betweensonship and stewardship We must learn how to serve the Lord

but we must also explore how to be a son of God God doesnrsquot

want to treat you like a slavemdashHe wants to treat you like a son

One of my mentors Arthur once asked me ldquoGraham do

you want to be a servant of the Lordrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo I answered

ldquoTen donrsquot get upset if He treats you like onerdquo Arthur saidSometimes God commands and I obey Other times He

makes a request of me because He wants to treat me like His

son Christians need to know how to live life as both a servant

and a son Being a son means God gets the best of our day not

just the tail end Te Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a

man who knew how to be both a servant and a son as we read

in Ephesians 983089983089983093-983090983091Terefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ the Father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 20: The Language of Promise

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11

GRAHAM COOKE

Learning to cohabit with God takes time Te pressure of

ministry is intense it can stress us out make us sick even killus unless we know how to rest in the Lord It takes discipline

to bring ourselves to a place of peace before God but it is abso-

lutely necessary to do so It has taken years of practice for me

but on most days I can bring myself to that place of peace

in five or ten seconds It no longer matters what is swirling

around me or threatening me I can still myself before God I

have to I need to be quiet to hear His voice God loves to speakin whispers He rarely answers prayers at the same decibel level

at which they are prayed

ldquoFatherrdquo we can shout at Him ldquoI need to hear Your voicerdquo

ldquoI knowrdquo He whispers back

ldquoSpeak to merdquo we bellow at the top of our lungs

ldquoI amrdquo He whispers

ldquoI need to hear Your voice todayrdquo we blareldquoShut up and listenrdquo He whispers

ldquoBe still and know that I am Godrdquo says Psalm 983092983094983089983088 Medi-

tation is another avenue towards cohabitation with God Te

western church must learn to meditate setting time aside to

think deeply about God It doesnrsquot have to be long just fifteen

minutes or half-an-hour but the more you do it the more time

yoursquoll want to give to Him I love meditatingMeditation and stillness flow into an upgrade of our peace

I spend a lot of time on peace with the people I disciple I con-

stantly confront them on the issue of peace in their lives I

donrsquot expect them to worry or panic at the same level next year

as they did this year Teir peace must increase and anxiety

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12

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

decrease Peace is a vital fruit

of the SpiritWithout an upgrade in our

capacity to rest in the Lord

we find ourselves running on

adrenaline Tatrsquos okay for a

while but for every adrenaline

high therersquos an adrenaline low Often people get down and

depressed because they have been running on adrenaline andtheyrsquove run out Itrsquos not the pressure of life that gets to us itrsquos

the pressure of how we run it

Peace though is an equalizing pressure If the world is

throwing a thousand pounds of pressure at you from the out-

side peace sends a thousand and one pounds from the inside

Irsquom under pressure wherever I gomdashintense pressure in most

places Everyone wants to see me and talk to me and pull at meand get prayer from me I donrsquot mind itrsquos my job o survive

I have learned to be at peace My rest in God gives me space

Eventually adrenaline will rob our mind and body and will

leave us exhausted Itrsquos okay to be tired in the work but itrsquos not

okay to be tired of the work We must learn to give ourselves

to peace rest and meditation We can operate at the highest

level for many years if we have developed ourselves internallyin preparation

IF THE WORLD IS THROWING

A THOUSA ND P OUNDS OF

PRESSURE AT YOU FROM THE

OUTSIDE983084 P EA CE SENDS A

THOUSAND AND ONE POUNDS

FROM THE INSIDE

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13

GRAHAM COOKE

SONSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

We live our lives in the tension of a paradox between being

and doing Te key to succeeding in this quandary is to always

choose being over doing We must choose to take time out to

rest We all have to do many things but being is just as impor-

tant Tis paradox could be described as the difference betweensonship and stewardship We must learn how to serve the Lord

but we must also explore how to be a son of God God doesnrsquot

want to treat you like a slavemdashHe wants to treat you like a son

One of my mentors Arthur once asked me ldquoGraham do

you want to be a servant of the Lordrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo I answered

ldquoTen donrsquot get upset if He treats you like onerdquo Arthur saidSometimes God commands and I obey Other times He

makes a request of me because He wants to treat me like His

son Christians need to know how to live life as both a servant

and a son Being a son means God gets the best of our day not

just the tail end Te Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a

man who knew how to be both a servant and a son as we read

in Ephesians 983089983089983093-983090983091Terefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ the Father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

8172019 The Language of Promise

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

8172019 The Language of Promise

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

8172019 The Language of Promise

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

8172019 The Language of Promise

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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53

GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 21: The Language of Promise

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12

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

decrease Peace is a vital fruit

of the SpiritWithout an upgrade in our

capacity to rest in the Lord

we find ourselves running on

adrenaline Tatrsquos okay for a

while but for every adrenaline

high therersquos an adrenaline low Often people get down and

depressed because they have been running on adrenaline andtheyrsquove run out Itrsquos not the pressure of life that gets to us itrsquos

the pressure of how we run it

Peace though is an equalizing pressure If the world is

throwing a thousand pounds of pressure at you from the out-

side peace sends a thousand and one pounds from the inside

Irsquom under pressure wherever I gomdashintense pressure in most

places Everyone wants to see me and talk to me and pull at meand get prayer from me I donrsquot mind itrsquos my job o survive

I have learned to be at peace My rest in God gives me space

Eventually adrenaline will rob our mind and body and will

leave us exhausted Itrsquos okay to be tired in the work but itrsquos not

okay to be tired of the work We must learn to give ourselves

to peace rest and meditation We can operate at the highest

level for many years if we have developed ourselves internallyin preparation

IF THE WORLD IS THROWING

A THOUSA ND P OUNDS OF

PRESSURE AT YOU FROM THE

OUTSIDE983084 P EA CE SENDS A

THOUSAND AND ONE POUNDS

FROM THE INSIDE

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13

GRAHAM COOKE

SONSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

We live our lives in the tension of a paradox between being

and doing Te key to succeeding in this quandary is to always

choose being over doing We must choose to take time out to

rest We all have to do many things but being is just as impor-

tant Tis paradox could be described as the difference betweensonship and stewardship We must learn how to serve the Lord

but we must also explore how to be a son of God God doesnrsquot

want to treat you like a slavemdashHe wants to treat you like a son

One of my mentors Arthur once asked me ldquoGraham do

you want to be a servant of the Lordrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo I answered

ldquoTen donrsquot get upset if He treats you like onerdquo Arthur saidSometimes God commands and I obey Other times He

makes a request of me because He wants to treat me like His

son Christians need to know how to live life as both a servant

and a son Being a son means God gets the best of our day not

just the tail end Te Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a

man who knew how to be both a servant and a son as we read

in Ephesians 983089983089983093-983090983091Terefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ the Father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding

8172019 The Language of Promise

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

8172019 The Language of Promise

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 22: The Language of Promise

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13

GRAHAM COOKE

SONSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

We live our lives in the tension of a paradox between being

and doing Te key to succeeding in this quandary is to always

choose being over doing We must choose to take time out to

rest We all have to do many things but being is just as impor-

tant Tis paradox could be described as the difference betweensonship and stewardship We must learn how to serve the Lord

but we must also explore how to be a son of God God doesnrsquot

want to treat you like a slavemdashHe wants to treat you like a son

One of my mentors Arthur once asked me ldquoGraham do

you want to be a servant of the Lordrdquo

ldquoYesrdquo I answered

ldquoTen donrsquot get upset if He treats you like onerdquo Arthur saidSometimes God commands and I obey Other times He

makes a request of me because He wants to treat me like His

son Christians need to know how to live life as both a servant

and a son Being a son means God gets the best of our day not

just the tail end Te Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a

man who knew how to be both a servant and a son as we read

in Ephesians 983089983089983093-983090983091Terefore I also after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ the Father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and

revelation in the knowledge of Him the eyes of your understanding

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 23: The Language of Promise

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14

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling

what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints andwhat is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in

Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His

right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and

power and might and dominion and every name that is named not

only in this age but also in that which is to come

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be headover all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him

who fills all in all

What an incredible prayer Longevity in the spirit is pow-

ered by wisdom and revelation from God Te two streams flow

into one enabling us to under-

stand who God wants to be for us

Once we capture who God wantsto be for us there is a power and

energy that flows into our spirit

from His own Suddenly wersquore liv-

ing life for all itrsquos worth Defeats

and burnout evaporate A spirit-

infused Christian does not become weary or overwhelmed by

circumstances because his or her eyes are lightened with theknowledge of who God is His call on our lives is certain

Living in the Spirit gives us a glimpse of the riches of our

inheritance God loves to show us His majesty and power so that

in every situation we face we can rely on Him ldquoI know whom I

have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

ldquoTWO ROADS DIVERGED

IN A WOOD983084 AND IhellipI TOOK

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED

BY983084 AND THAT HAS MADE

ALL THE DIFFERENCErdquo

ROBERT FROST

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

8172019 The Language of Promise

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

8172019 The Language of Promise

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

8172019 The Language of Promise

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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53

GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 24: The Language of Promise

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15

GRAHAM COOKE

committed to Himrdquo Paul wrote his young charge imothy in 983090

imothy 983089983089983090 He had absolute confidence in who God was forhim his deliverer his protector his passion Paul was able to

go into places where incredible opposition swirled because he

knew God was with him He was always himself and spoke the

words of God to kings and vagabonds

Each of us can only go as far as God has given us permis-

sion to go Our authority grows as our maturity in Christ grows

By knowing who God is for us we never have to be afraid ofour circumstances

LESSONS FROM EPHESUS

AND TWO WOMEN

Te paradox of being and doing is seen throughout Scrip-

ture In Revelation 983090983089-983093 we see one example of this phenom-

enon in a letter written by Christ to the church at Ephesus

o the angel of the church of Ephesus write

ldquoTese things says He who holds the seven stars in His

right hand who walks in the midst of the seven goldenlampstands lsquoI know your works your labor your patience

and that you cannot bear those who are evil And you

have tested those who say they are apostles and are not

and have found them liars and you have persevered and

have patience and have labored for My namersquos sake and

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 25: The Language of Promise

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16

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

have not become weary Nevertheless I have this against

you that you have left your first love Remember there-fore from where you have fallen repent and do the first

works or else I will come to you quickly and remove

your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrsquordquo

Te church of Ephesus was full of good hardworking people

Tey loved to do ministry Teir church endured and persevered

through troubles Tey were efficient and did good deeds Yet

somehow their relationship with God had gotten lost in all of

the business ldquoI have this against you that you have left your first

loverdquo Jesus said ldquoRemember therefore from where you have fallen

repent and do the first worksrdquo In other words God was calling

Ephesus to think back to its acts of adoration and to reconnect

with Him in worship

Repentance means to change onersquos mind and find a differ-ent paradigm to live under Ephesus and by extension all Chris-

tians who do more than be needed to change their lifestyle to

reflect their most urgent priority worshipping God ldquoDo the first

worksrdquo mdashstart by practicing all of the things you used to do in

praise in worship and in your devotional life

God doesnrsquot actually need people to evangelize the Earth

do mission projects or give away millions of dollars What Heis looking for are people who will worship Him in spirit and in

truth Tat doesnrsquot just mean singing in meetings or going for

it when the band is rocking He wants people who worship Him

in the way they live He wants people like Mary and Martha as

recorded in Luke 983089983088983091983096-983092983090

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 26: The Language of Promise

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17

GRAHAM COOKE

Now it happened as they went that He entered a cer-

tain village and a certain woman named Martha wel-comed Him into her house And she had a sister called

Mary who also sat at Jesusrsquo

feet and heard His word

But Martha was distracted

with much serving and

she approached Him and

said ldquoLord do you not care that my sister has leftme to serve alone Terefore tell her to help merdquo

And Jesus answered and said to her ldquoMartha Mar-

tha you are worried and troubled about many things

But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that

good part which will not be taken away from herrdquo

Both Mary and Martha were right but for completely dif-ferent reasons Paradoxes arenrsquot about one right answer and one

wrong one both sides of a paradox are right Te issue is primacy

When push comes to shove what is most important to us What

takes precedence Without Marthas very little would get done in

the Church Marthas sacrifice organize and create places where

Marys can flourish in worship But without Marys everything

we do would come from a religious duty We actually need bothEach one of us is a Mary and a Martha and both are legitimate

One of them has precedence and thatrsquos Mary Mary is where

we receive insight into the things God has placed inside of us

EACH ONE OF US IS A MARY

AND A MARTHA983084 AND BOTH

ARE LEGITIMATE

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 27: The Language of Promise

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18

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

JESUS CHRIST

TREASURE HUNTER

Troughout His earthly ministry Jesus spoke to the trea-

sure God had deposited in people He even blessed the spiritual

treasure that the person themselves did not realize they had

In Luke 983089983097 Jesus met a crooked tax collector named ZacchaeusNot once did Jesus reveal the manrsquos sin All He did was bless him

and honour him Humbled Zacchaeus knew what to do ldquoLook

Lord I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfoldrdquo

Te man simply stopped cheating others signed away half of

his possessions and made a contract with Heaven to restore

what he had previously stolen ldquoI robbed you of a hundred dol-lars herersquos four hundred backrdquomdashthatrsquos God at work in one of

His special treasures

God has placed His fingerprint in the people around us

and we need to speak to that spiritual treasure In John 983089 the

disciple Philip brought his brother Nathanael to meet Jesus

Nathanael at first was skeptical ldquoCan anything good come out

of Nazarethrdquo he asked But when he finally met Jesus the Lordspoke to the treasure in him ldquoBehold an Israelite indeed in whom

is no deceitrdquo Jesus said noting that He had prophetically seen

Nathanael sitting under a fig tree earlier that day ldquoRabbi You are

the Son of God You are the King of Israelrdquo exclaimed Nathanael

who left everything behind and became a disciple Jesus had

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 28: The Language of Promise

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19

GRAHAM COOKE

spotted the treasuremdashthat piece of Godrsquos Spirit that had been

deposited in Nathanaelrsquos lifemdashand spoken to it Nathanael inturn became a pillar of the early Church

SPEAK TO THE TREASURE

Jesus knew that whatever He spoke to would rise up in

people Humanity always speaks to the earthen vessel noting

every crack flaw and warp ldquoIf you put this right and change

that then wersquoll let you in and accept yourdquo God is not remotely

like that He speaks to the treasure in a person and releases it

from the captivity of the flesh He extracts the precious from

the worthless We often try and do the opposite we take out thetrash and see whatrsquos left When

we speak to the treasure in peo-

ple it moves to the surface of

their lives from the hidden to

the obvious Te rubbish always

comes with it When people see

their own worth they get rid oftheir own carnality Tatrsquos why

the prophetic and the pastoral go so well together But God

knows there is treasure in each of us and He wants to bring it

to the surface Donrsquot let your view of the worthless obscure that

which is precious about a person

ldquoI HAVE FOUND THE PARADOX

THA T IF I LOV E UNTIL IT

HURTS983084 THEN THERE IS NO

HURT983084 BUT ONLY MORE LOVErdquo

MOTHER TERESA

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

8172019 The Language of Promise

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

8172019 The Language of Promise

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

8172019 The Language of Promise

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

8172019 The Language of Promise

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

8172019 The Language of Promise

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 29: The Language of Promise

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20

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

We have got to change the way we think of and behave

around other people We donrsquot have any enemies except forthe devil and his demons Te Apostle Paul believed this ldquoFor

we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principali-

ties against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly placesrdquo he

wrote in Ephesians 983094983089983090 We donrsquot have any human enemies

only people who we are not finding treasure in Fortunately

God can give us a different type of vision to help us see peoplein a new way

ldquoLet it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible

beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the

sight of Godrdquo Peter wrote in 983089 Peter 983091983092 ldquoIncorruptiblerdquo in this

verse means that the beauty will not pass away unlike a flower

that blooms and withers that which is precious in Godrsquos eyes

stands forever When God looks at you He sees what is pre-ciousmdashwhat He most loves about you right now

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Christians are so quick to demonize other believers unfor-

tunately I have witnessed many examples of this fact I remem-

ber talking with a well-known church leader whose associate

pastor after many years had left and started another church

five miles down the road

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

8172019 The Language of Promise

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

8172019 The Language of Promise

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

8172019 The Language of Promise

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 30: The Language of Promise

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21

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquoI discipled this guy for fifteen years and he went and left

merdquo the leader told me ldquoHersquos got an Absalom spiritrdquoldquoWhat does that look like ldquo I asked

ldquoYou know Absalom Hersquos a traitorrdquo the leader replied ldquoHersquos

taken what is mine and seized it for himselfrdquo

I was surprised by the conversation ldquoI know that manrdquo I

said ldquoAnd the truth is that he can only be an Absalom if you

have been a David If you have been fatherly to him kingly

looked after him lovedhim and wanted only to

see him succeed then

yes he is an Absalom

But if you havenrsquot done

that he canrsquot be an

Absalomrdquo

After a few moments of silence I continued on ldquoYou knowwhat he might be a Jacob and you might be a Laban Did you

ever think about that It works both waysrdquo

He frowned at me but I pressed ahead ldquoYoursquore not seeing

things clearlyrdquo I said ldquoMaybe you have forgotten all of the years

that he served you Maybe you have forgotten his faithfulness

like the time the church was having financial troubles and he

took a pay cut so you wouldnrsquot have to Maybe you have forgot-ten to see what God has put inside of him Maybe he just feels

that he has only one life and he needs to live it You got so used

to him serving you that you forgot to serve him Yoursquore a good

man and you can see this for yourself In your heart you are

a father and yoursquove just missed that point for a few moments

ldquoHATRED PARALYZES LIFE LOVE

RELEASES IT HATRED CONFUSES

LIFE LOVE HARMONIZES IT HATRED

DARKENS LIFE LOVE ILLUMINES ITrdquo

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING983084 JR

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

8172019 The Language of Promise

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

8172019 The Language of Promise

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

8172019 The Language of Promise

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

8172019 The Language of Promise

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 31: The Language of Promise

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22

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Why donrsquot you go down the road and say to him lsquoHow can I help

you be successfulrsquo You could lend him some of your people fora while or see if he is okay financially

You might want to get behind him on some evangelistic

initiatives just to bless him Maybe you could just let him know

that even though he has a problem or two you see the good

in him Knowing you yoursquoll probably want to do all of this and

more because you are a godly guyrdquo

Te leader paused and looked at me ldquoDo you want a coffeerdquohe asked I got the message Subject closed

Some time later the former associate called me and told

me that he and the leader had gotten together for coffee He

had apologized and had begun paying half of the manrsquos salary

and sent teams to help him with the church plant

ldquoWhat happenedrdquo the former associate asked me com-

pletely bewilderedldquoI think he just saw the treasure in you because God showed

him the treasure inside of himselfrdquo I answered

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

8172019 The Language of Promise

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

8172019 The Language of Promise

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

8172019 The Language of Promise

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

8172019 The Language of Promise

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 32: The Language of Promise

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23

GRAHAM COOKE

YOU SEE

I see a mountain you see a miracle

I see a wasteland you see a garden

I see dry bones you see an army

I see the impossible you see everything

I see a seed you see a harvest

I see the water you see the wineI see the broken you see your body

I see my enemy you see your footstool

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch me

I want to see the way that you see

I see my sins you see your blood

I see a baby you see my saviour

I see my failures you see redemption

I see a beggar you see a son

I see a problem you see a provision

I see a crisis you see an opportunity

I see the image you see the heart

I see opposition you see someone to love

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

8172019 The Language of Promise

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 33: The Language of Promise

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24

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

I see the weary you see the warriors

I see the restless you see their peace

I see the doubting you see their faith

I see the weak you see their strength

I see my Father you see your sonI see my Shepherd you see your lamb

I see my Saviour you see your joy

I see your eyes staring into mine

You are I 983137983149

But Irsquove been so blind all this time

My God touch meI want to see the way that you see

Inspired by the lyrics of Jonathan Helsermdash

a songwriter worshiper catalyst and a man after

Godrsquos own heart

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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25

GRAHAM COOKE

START WITH YOURSELF

Sometimes itrsquos not the quality of their sonship but our

fathering that is more the issue It is not just their commit-

ment to service but also our capacity to inspire and disciple

Tese things always work both ways Getting Godrsquos perspective

first enables us to position our own heart in the SpiritTat leader had to have a vision for himselfmdashthat he was

a father not a slave-ownermdashbefore he could have eyes to see

the treasure in someone else When we see ourselves as God

sees us we automatically start seeing others differently I look

at some people and think ldquoItrsquos in there somewheremdashjust keep

looking Graerdquo I want to love people enough to tell them what

their treasure is I donrsquot want to focus on what theyrsquore doingagainst me I want to come back in the opposite spirit and say

ldquoYou know something Tis is what God likes about yourdquo

Tis approach confounds people itrsquos so cool to see People

come to me and say ldquo I donrsquot like this about you or this or thisrdquo

I just smile look at them and reply ldquoYoursquore probably right

because I am less than perfect But you know this is what God

likes about you God loves this part of you Let me just blessthat in you so you can get strongerrdquo Itrsquos called heaping coals of

fire on their head and itrsquos a lot of fun Tey usually leave bewil-

dered by the conversation but touched by the Spirit

Some of us have had our minds so damaged by others that

we simply believe we are worthless I curse that thought in the

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 35: The Language of Promise

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26

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

name of Jesus that is not God We should each know our value

and worth to the Lord Itrsquos not based on what we have done buton who He is Our doings will catch up with our beingmdashdonrsquot

fret about that But God loves you right now just as you are

He will continue to change and form you because He is kind

generous and in love with you

In the Bible God compared us with pure gold

Te precious sons of Zion

Valuable as fine goldHow they are regarded as clay pots

Te work of the hands of the potterrdquo

(Lamentations 983092983090)

People see us as just another clay pot made by a potterrsquos

hand but God sees us as fine gold Sometimes we canrsquot see the

spiritual beauty in a person because of the earthen vessel but itis there And whatever you see in people that is good or speak

to people that is good rebounds on you God judges every idle

word and blesses every precious one

WHAT YOU ARE

AND WHAT YOU ARENrsquoT

Everything we do is both an act of worship and an act of

war A good dayrsquos work is an act of worship because it demon-

strates something about the Kingdom of God Itrsquos also an act

GOD LOVES YOU983084

RIGHT NOW983084 JUST

AS YOU ARE

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 36: The Language of Promise

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27

GRAHAM COOKE

of war because the enemy hates employment Spending time

with God is a powerful act of worship and a terrifying act ofwar our intimacy with the Lord intimidates the demonic Every

word of praise every word of thanksgiving and every thought

of adoration is a salvo in the battle against evil

Te enemy hates thankful people and enjoys misery He

loves grief sadness unhappiness low self-esteem and any-

thing that keeps a human from connecting with God Te spirit

of Christ is put into humans to ward those feelings offmdashGodwants us to know how He feels about us In that knowledge He

then wants us to reach out and take the grave clothes from off

the people around us Everything positive and good is a spirit

contribution that attacks death and decay bringing light hope

and warmth into someonersquos heart

My personality has never lent itself well to the stage Irsquom

very much an introvert so what you see in my preaching iscompletely fueled by Godrsquos anointing I love the way God made

me Andreas Hermann a German friend of mine once said that

ldquointroverts have a very colorful inner liferdquo He was absolutely

correct I do have a colorful inner life

Te downside of being introverted is that I get overwhelmed

by myself some days Waves of thoughts about what I am not

crash over me leaving me overwhelmed Tose thoughts areeasily overcome however I need only think of how God feels

about memdashHis love and adoration and kindness for memdashand

those worried thoughts dissipate Irsquom not fooled by myself I

know what Irsquom like without Jesus but I also know what my

potential in Him is

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

8172019 The Language of Promise

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 37: The Language of Promise

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28

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

ldquoAnd He said to me lsquoMy grace is sufficient for you for My

strength is made perfect in weaknessrsquo Terefore most gladly I willrather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest

upon me Terefore I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in

needs in persecutions in distresses for Christrsquos sake For when I

am weak then I am strongrdquo Paul wrote in 983090 Corinthians 983089983090983097-983089983088

Christians can look at God and thank Him for our deficiencies

He covers all of those weaknesses

Itrsquos okay to come to God and say ldquoI donrsquot deserve to behere Irsquom only here by Your grace Your goodness Your mercy

and Your overwhelming kindnessrdquo I often tell the Lord that I

donrsquot know why He chose me except that He must be looking

for someone slow and degenerate I fit that bill Every Christian

lives their life by the grace of God Our deficiencies are more

than made up for by the Holy Spirit God can and will make up

the shortfall in our life God stands in our credibility gap andsmiles He stands in our hypocrisy and gives us legitimacy And

He does it gladly

God calls each of us as a Jacob and makes us an Israel Tis

is the transition that each of us will

work through all the days of our life

In that space between Jacob and

Israel stands Jesus Himself lovingus and offering us His credibility Tis love is why Christians

should be the most grateful people on the face of the Earth

We need to return to the right spiritual disciplines because

our prime goal must be to remain in the presence of God We

need to believe in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit

ldquoONLY BELIEVErdquo

SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

8172019 The Language of Promise

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

8172019 The Language of Promise

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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29

GRAHAM COOKE

to sustain a devotional lifestyle Tese disciplinesmdashblessing

prayer meditation peace rest worship thanksgiving andpraisemdashare Godrsquos language of promise

Te Holy Spirit is committed to seeing you connect with

God no matter what state your life is in His job is to help you

find and enjoy the grace of God Te Lord loved you when He

saw the worst you had ever been In fact what you are not

endears you to Him God came and chose and loved you in the

midst of all your sin hypocrisy inadequacy and inability Andas He works in your life your ability to experience that non-

negotiable love is increasing His love never changes but the

way we receive it does It is we that grow not Him

o our minds it seems like God loves us more now than

He did before Tis is untrue What has changed is that we

believed His love say ten percent back then and we believe it

twenty-three percent now Next year we might believe forty-five percent of His love Eventually one day wersquore going to

believe all of the love God has for us At that moment nothing

on Earth will be able to stop us from becoming the person God

has called us to be Trough the leading of the Holy Spirit our

confidence and faith in the nature of God can reach the same

level and dimension of His love for us

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 39: The Language of Promise

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30

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

BLESS BLESS

AND BLESS SOME MORE

If we were really sensible we would be out there blessing

up a storm because every blessing we give someone returns

to us I write on average twenty cards a week I should have

bought shares in Hallmark Irsquoll sit and think about people andask the Lord to tell me something about them God then shows

me something precious and I write Sometimes itrsquos just a few

sentences ldquoI was thinking about you today and this is what the

Lord told me about you Just thought you might want to knowrdquo

I do this and it seems to return to me tenfold I remem-

ber being at home one day when Carole my personal assistant

called to ask how I was doingldquoReally goodrdquo I answered

She laughed and said ldquoWell Graham wersquove got thirty-five

cards in the office for you Are you sure yoursquore not struggling

with anythingrdquo

ldquoActually yes I am struggling with somethingrdquo I sighed

ldquoIrsquove been praying for it but I donrsquot know how I feel about it

Irsquom on the edge of it I still feel good about myself but some-thingrsquos uprdquo I went to the office and read the thirty-five cards

and twenty-seven of them spoke encouragement in the very

issue I was facing

You canrsquot sow potatoes and reap rhubarb o be blessed and

encouraged we must bless and encourage others

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

8172019 The Language of Promise

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

8172019 The Language of Promise

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

8172019 The Language of Promise

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

8172019 The Language of Promise

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 40: The Language of Promise

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31

GRAHAM COOKE

LIVING BY FAITH

I am never in need of encouragement or money because

all I want to do is give both away I have learned to hold on to

both loosely living by faith I donrsquot have a salary I prefer to

live by faith My struggles early on in the ministry to live by

faith were centered mainly around my inability to rest I hadnot worked out that the Father not only provides but also

stretches our faith at the same time Tat often meant the pro-

vision was delayed (my terminology) or at least never showed

up when I was at the limit of my faith However it seems that

God disagreed about where my limit was and so each situation

took me beyond my previous measure

In the gap between promise and provision I was slowlylearning that I had choices to make Either I could rest in Godrsquos

language of promise (ldquoMy God shall supply all your need in

Christ Jesusrdquo) or I could try to make things happen by dropping

hints to people sending out prayer letters expending my own

efforts Often in that hiatus I would get irritable and impatient

with people around

I was not only learning about faith and how it grows bystretching I was also discovering that faith must be under-

girded by peace In Paulrsquos letter to the Hebrews chapter 983092 Paul

unites faith and rest we who have believed enter that peace

He wrote about laboring to enter a place of peace and calm-

ness Rest has to be worked at constantly or faith will wither

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 41: The Language of Promise

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32

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Everyone must increase their peace levels to be able to stay in

the war live the life and move in the supernaturalOur faith is in the nature of God It is not about faith in

faith So often I have heard people say that they didnrsquot have

enough faith It is not the size of our faith that is important

but the depth of our revelation of Godrsquos nature When we know

what He is really like when our hearts are emboldened by the

majesty of His faithfulness and grace then we know that His

commitment to His word and His people cannot be broken Hisword will not return to Him empty

Faith is driven by what we have seen heard and experi-

enced of the true nature of the Father Our faith always pushes

out beyond our experience it never stays at the same place Our

current experience helps us to believe God more at the next

opportunity (see Figure 983089) Tatrsquos what Scripture means when

it says we walk by faith not sight

FIGURE 1

CURRENT EXPERIENCE

OF GOD FAITH

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

8172019 The Language of Promise

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

8172019 The Language of Promise

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

8172019 The Language of Promise

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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33

GRAHAM COOKE

Tere is always a dimension where faith is beyond our expe-

rience Faith is exploring pushing us beyond the boundaries ofwhat we know in the natural As we get used to that faith level

our experience pushes up to it and our faith ranges out further

into the heart of God (see Figure 983090)

FIGURE 2

Our faith is always in advance of our experience so that we

always have something to aim for in the nature of God In the

storm on the lake (Mark 983092) the disciples had faith in their own

seamanship but not in Jesusrsquo power to control the elements

Faith gave out and fear came in as a result Te size of faith is

always a lesser issue than where it is placed

PRIOR

EXPERIENCE

GREATER

EXPERIENCE

INCREASE

OF FAITH

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 43: The Language of Promise

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34

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

SHOES

My child walk in my Footsteps live in My shoes

Tis is your place of safety because I am bigger than anything

or anyone you will ever face

his is your place of provision for you will walk in My

increase for your life

Tis is your place of expansion for I am growing you to fit the

anointing that I have set aside for you

You have power to stand in Me

My strength is yours as you walk in Me

Walking in bloody footsteps your sins are forgiven and your

weaknesses are covered

Enjoy this life

Be a child in Me

Speak to your enemy your detractors your problems with

the same confident wordhellip

ldquoMy God is bigger than yourdquo

It will always and ever be rue

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

8172019 The Language of Promise

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

8172019 The Language of Promise

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

8172019 The Language of Promise

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

8172019 The Language of Promise

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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53

GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 44: The Language of Promise

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35

GRAHAM COOKE

REAL PROSPERITY

In Acts 983089983088983097-983089983094 the Apostle Peter had a vision that changed

the course of church history

Te next day as they went on their journey and drew near

the city Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the

sixth hour Ten he became very hungry and wanted to eatbut while they made ready he fell into a trance and saw

heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the

four corners descending to him and let down to the earth

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth wild

beasts creeping things and birds of the air And a voice came

to him ldquoRise Peter kill and eatrdquo

But Peter said ldquoNot so Lord For I have never eaten any-

thing common or uncleanrdquo

And a voice spoke to him again the second time ldquoWhat God

has cleansed you must not call commonrdquo Tis was done three

times And the object was taken up into heaven again

God wanted Peter to see people the way He sees themmdash

as precious treasures ldquoDonrsquot call them dirty Peter I love

themrdquo Te real prosperity message

is ldquoChrist in you the hope of gloryrdquo

(Colossians 983089983090983095) We must look for

Jesus in the people around us God

ldquoLOVE IN ITS ESSENCE IS

SPIRITUAL FIRErdquo

EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 45: The Language of Promise

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36

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

has sent us on a treasure hunt to find what He has implanted

in peopleIn the beginning God said ldquoLet Us make man in Our image

according to Our likenessrdquo (Genesis 983089983090983094) We must search for the

image of God in every human being looking for what is pre-

cious in Christian and pre-Christian alike

A DEVOTIONAL LIFESTYLE

Our search for the treasure in other people is just one part

of the devotional lifestyle needed to free our ministry from

stress and worry

One of my earliest mentors once said to me ldquoYou have to

be in ministry for about twenty or twenty-five years before God

will trust you with your lifersquos message In the first twenty years

everything is training and preparation for what God truly wants

you to dordquo Tatrsquos why longevity is so important in ministry We

must learn to live in a place where we can run without growing

tired We have to replenish ourselves in the Spirit every day

Successful ministers plan for the future but live for today

Tey place their lives in day-tight compartments taking every-

thing one day at a time At the end of a day they know how

to shrug everything off cleanse their hearts and minds and

be thankful for the blessings God has given them When they

awake the next morning they awake anew to the tangible

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 46: The Language of Promise

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37

GRAHAM COOKE

mercies of God Tose mercies are like a first cup of coffee or a

first mouthful of foodWhen I first started out in prophetic ministry nearly thirty

years ago there were six of us in England Tere were probably

more like 983094983088983088983088 prophetic ministers but I only knew sixmdashand

half of them were weird On some days I didnrsquot know which

group I belonged to Ministry is relentless on people

A QUARTER OF ALL PROPHETS HAVE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

SIXTY PERCENT OF ALL PASTORS QUIT LEADING CHURCHES

FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE MINISTRY DO

SO BECAUSE OF IMMORALITY

ANOTHER THIRTY PERCENT LEAVE BECAUSE OF STRESS

Behind most of these statistics is a rundown devotional

life When we lose our focus on God we end up with a working

relationshipmdashbut a lousy friend-shipmdashwith Him Te only way a lot

of ministers relate with God is on

the basis of what they do for Him

Everything is business when some-

one has lost their devotional life

We end up praying about ministry

the youth group Sunday Schoolfinances consumed by the business of ministry and not the

joy of friendship with the Father

I wonder how many of us have upgraded our ability to

praise and thank God in the past twelve months We need to

praise God more this year than we did last year Many of us

ldquoWE HAVE BECOME SO

E N G R O S S E D I N T H E

WORK OF THE LORD THAT

WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

THE LORD OF THE WORKrdquo

AW TOZER

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

8172019 The Language of Promise

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

8172019 The Language of Promise

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 47: The Language of Promise

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38

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

take time out every day to pray but how many of us take time

to just adore Jesus Tere are a few questions which we can askthat will help us get to the heart of the matter

WHAT CURRENT LY ATTRACTS YOU TO JESUS

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO HIM RIGHT NOW

WHAT ASPECT OF HIS NATURE OVERWHELMS YOU IN HIS

PRESENCE

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO RECOVER

IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

WHAT GIFT DOES THE LORD LONG TO GIVE YOU

IDOLATRY

A sixth question could be added to that list

WHAT CURRENTLY DISTRACTS YOU FROM ENJOYING THE

PRESENCE OF GOD

Martha was pulled away from Jesusrsquo presence by her sense

of duty and by the work necessary to house a guest of Jesusrsquo

stature What interests you most has taken a piece of your heart

If the combination of people and things in your heart is greaterthan your love for God your spirituality will hit a ceiling and

level off Often we do not know where God is in our life because

we have not given Him much room to move Te clutter of our

other loves and desires legitimate though some may be can

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 48: The Language of Promise

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39

GRAHAM COOKE

prevent His reality from being expressed In extreme cases they

can even shut Him out all togetherMany Christians are lukewarm in their fellowship with the

Lord because the balance of their love and attention is swung

away from the Father Idolatry has such a beginning

His love raises the water table of all our other affections

itrsquos as if our love for others comes up ten levels because of how

we feel about Him When God rules out of your absolute love

for Him all other loves improve and increaseWhatever comes between God and us is an idol Whether

itrsquos our leadership career business ministry family or any-

thing else itrsquos an idol At that point

we are headed for either a pruning

or a serious chastisement because

God is a jealous God He will not

have anything come between Himand His children ake some time and make sure your life is in

proportion

Jesusrsquo words to the church in Ephesus need to ring loud

and clear in our spirits ldquoRemember therefore from where you have

fallen repent and do the first works or else I will come to you quickly

and remove your lampstand from its placemdashunless you repentrdquo Te

lampstand represents the place of revelation influence andministrymdasha beacon of light to ourselves and others God must

have preeminence

ldquoWITHOUT WORSHIP983084 WE

GO ABOUT MISERABLErdquo

AW TOZER

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 49: The Language of Promise

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40

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

TRUE WORSHIP

At the beginning of our spiritual journey none of us know

the adventures God has in store We canrsquot really comprehend

who wersquore called to be in His Kingdom o discover our place

we must seek out wisdom and revelation from God Without an

intimate relationship with Him wersquoll never find our way Ourinheritance will pass us by our future may be something other

than we could have realized

o move out of our inadequacies and into a significant place

in the Kingdom we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our

life Te Spirit will help us upgrade our worship praise and

adoration When we learn to worship in spirit and in truth as

Jesus implored us to in John 983092983090983091-983090983092 we will see ourselves in away we have never experienced before

Worship attracts this

revelation When we get

into a place of worship we

start to discover things

that God wants us to know

Scales fall off of our eyesand our minds are renewed We begin to have dreams see

visions and have thoughts so profound that we have to write

them down

In Ephesians 983089 Paul prayed that we would have ldquothe spirit of

wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrdquo Tis knowledge

ldquoWORSHIP IS GODrsquoS ENJOYMENT

OF US AND OUR ENJOYMENT OF

HIM WORSHIP IS A RESPONSE TO

THE FATHER983085CHILD RELATIONSHIPrdquo

GRAHAM KENDRICK

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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53

GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 50: The Language of Promise

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41

GRAHAM COOKE

is all about what God wants to be for us Tis revelation gives

us energy and peace it overcomes who we areWhen Irsquom overwhelmed Irsquom always rescued by the same

spirit of wisdom and revelation about who God is for me I get

out of the trap of my inadequacy and insecurity by remember-

ing everything He has done for me In our weakness He comes

and kisses us and calls us again

GRATITUDE

Gratefulness may be humanityrsquos most underestimated

devotional tool We often forget that gratitude is how we access

Godrsquos presence ldquoEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into

His courts with praise Be thankful to Him and bless His name For

the 983116983119983122983108 is good His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to

all generationsrdquo the psalmist sang in Psalm 983089983088983088983092-983093

Itrsquos always good to set aside a few hours just to be thankful

Make a list of the things yoursquore grateful for A lack of gratitude

can lead us into feeling that nothing is happening or into frus-

tration over hassles and issues In that moment stop and askyourself ldquoWhat are the benefits in my life right nowrdquo

In the west we donrsquot know how well-off we truly are wo-

thirds of the world doesnrsquot eat more than five meals a week God

has blessed us and itrsquos important that we think about it I long

to see Christians get beyond themselves and start seeing the

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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53

GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 51: The Language of Promise

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42

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

glory of God as it pertains

to their own life We needgreat people who under-

stand that their success is

wrapped up in the sover-

eignty of God

If we can do that a

faith power energy and

zeal will emerge that will take us forward in the things of theHoly Spirit We must become overwhelmed with who God wants

to be for us

INHERITING THE PROMISE

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence

so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end so

that you will not be sluggish but imitators of those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises For when

God made the promise to Abraham since He could swear by

no one greater He swore by Himself saying ldquo983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129

983106983116983109983123983123 983129983119983125 983105983118983108 983113 983127983113983116983116 983123983125983122983109983116983129 983117983125983116983124983113983120983116983129 983129983119983125rdquo And so hav-

ing patiently waited he obtained the promise

For men swear by one greater than themselves and with

them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every

ldquoIF YOU CONCENTRATE ON

FINDING WHATEVER IS GOOD

IN EVERY SITUATION983084 YOU WILL

DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE

WILL SUDDENLY BE FILLED

WITH GRATITUDE983084 A FEELING

THAT NURTURES THE SOULrdquo

RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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53

GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 52: The Language of Promise

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43

GRAHAM COOKE

dispute In the same way God desiring even more to

show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeablenessof His purpose interposed with an oath so that by two

unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to

lie we who have taken refuge would have strong encour-

agement to take hold of the hope set before us Tis hope

we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and

steadfast and one which enters within the veil where

Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us having become ahigh priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek

(Hebrews 983094983089983089-983090983088 983118983105983123983106)

At the heart of all Godrsquos dealings with us is the issue of

our inheritance in Christ We are the Beloved of the Father the

Bride of Christ People of the Spirit

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving ablessing instead for you were called for the very purpose

that you might inherit a blessing

(983089 Peter 983091983097 983118983105983123983106)

We are called to inherit It is what we demonstrate to the

Earth We are people of promise We have hope an inheritance

and a language in which we communicate our confidence in the

Father Tat language we learn from Heaven Te Holy Spiritcommunicates the heart of the Father in such a powerful way

that we are radically changed by the conversation and the con-

tent We then communicate to others in exactly the way that

it was delivered to our heart

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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53

GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 53: The Language of Promise

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44

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

o inherit we need two priceless things which we receive

from God in the process of our circumstances Tese are faithand patience Tis is a wonderful contrast that is only learned

through process Process is a series of steps designed to achieve

a particular goal or learning objective

Faith speaks about immediacy and patience refers to even-

tuality Most Christians want the magic Midas touch of instan-

taneous receiving from the Lord Faith is a gift to be received but

also a disciplined confidence that must be learned We cannotgo through life always requiring a gift of faith God gives those

as He wills He wants us to learn how to grow faith increase in

it and walk by it For this to occur we must attach patience to

our faith so that we walk on the path that God has provided

Circumstances are often so intense that they seem to last for

ages Primarily this is because we face them in our emotion

rather than our will Te will is the vehicle for faith to attainthe will of God

Te promise is secure God does not lie Te issue is always

process Te path of God (process) is always about increasing

our confidence enlarging expectation learning to stand in

peace being stretched in faith and being schooled in how to

see God and hold onto Him His word is the anchor point for

process to be attainedWhat is the gap between the promise and the provision

for you in your current situation What is the process that is

designed to fit that space What is the pathway that God has

chosen for you to develop greater confidence as well as receive

the provision Meditate on these things and activate your will

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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53

GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

8172019 The Language of Promise

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

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77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 54: The Language of Promise

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45

GRAHAM COOKE

towards the Lord Learn what your current process is all about

and how you can cooperate with the Spirit Tis is walking byfaith

Faith is confident expectation patience is calmness and

composure Te two combined produce a fortitude and consis-

tency Tere is a serene persistence that allows us to keep God

in our sights and rejoice in Him Serene persistence is anathema

to doubt fear and unbelief

God is unchanging and trustworthy so is His word Whenpromising Abraham a son the Father took an oath in His own

name Te oath and Godrsquos name are the same Godrsquos name and

His nature are equally the same Because of Who He is our

confident expectation (hope) is anchored in His personality

His promises emanate from behind the curtain ie the divi-

sion that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place

Tis is the place Jesus occupies as our High Priest He is in GodrsquosPresence at all times continuously interceding for us to be all

that the Father intends

Te promise may be fulfilled immediately because the Lord

may be showing you how to handle a gift of faith Te promise

will always be fulfilled eventually through the process of faith

Give yourself to the Father of lights from whom every gift

is given (James 983089983089983095) He is the Unchanging One We see Himbest when we are single minded (focused) about His goodness

Double-minded people are always disappointed and eventually

disinherit themselves

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

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53

GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 55: The Language of Promise

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46

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Process is the key to walking by faith Actively combining

your faith with patience gives a guarantee of inheritance Serenepersistencehellipthere is nothing more precious in a faith lifestyle

8172019 The Language of Promise

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

8172019 The Language of Promise

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

8172019 The Language of Promise

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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53

GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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61

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 56: The Language of Promise

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47

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 5787

48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 5887

49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 5987

50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6087

51

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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53

GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6387

54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6487

55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7087

61

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

8172019 The Language of Promise

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

8172019 The Language of Promise

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 57: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

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48

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CONCLUSION

Te sad truth about many longtime Christians is that they

have never understood the magnitude of Godrsquos love Some have

served Him for decades and not known His passion for them

But I believe that He is going to make up for that lost time We

need to receive this love with child-like simplicity not overana-lyzing it or trying to strive for it

God is going to come to us in this next season of time and

His love will almost be beyond our capacity to bear It will be

the stuff of dreams an unimaginable monumental incredible

astonishing marvelous outrageous love Tis language will

change the way you think about everything Godrsquos dream for

us is that we would be immersed in the majesty of everythingHe feels for us

His love will overwhelm us leading us past logic reason

intellect and into a place where our hearts will be touched as

they have never been touched before Tis is a season of wonder

for us and we will have to learn to live like a much-loved child

Our journey now is to cultivate an expectancy formdashand

interpret everything inmdashthe love of God God wants to rootand ground us in His love so deeply that we live there for the

rest of our days Tis love will cause us to grow to be the men

and women God most wants us to be

Itrsquos exciting to think of how radically this love will change

our lives We will experience the breadth length height and

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 5887

49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 5987

50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6087

51

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6187

52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6287

53

GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6387

54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6487

55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6687

57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6787

58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6887

59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7087

61

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7287

63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

8172019 The Language of Promise

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7487

65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

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THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 58: The Language of Promise

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49

GRAHAM COOKE

depth of Godrsquos love for us His language will wash over us again

and againLove God and love our neighbor it is our destiny and our

honour

8172019 The Language of Promise

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6087

51

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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53

GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

8172019 The Language of Promise

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

8172019 The Language of Promise

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6587

56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6687

57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6787

58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6887

59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6987

60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7087

61

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7187

62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7287

63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7387

64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7487

65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7587

66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7687

67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7787

68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7887

69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7987

70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8087

71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8187

72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 59: The Language of Promise

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50

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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53

GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

8172019 The Language of Promise

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

8172019 The Language of Promise

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7087

61

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

8172019 The Language of Promise

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

8172019 The Language of Promise

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

8172019 The Language of Promise

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7587

66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7687

67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7787

68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7887

69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7987

70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8087

71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8187

72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 60: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

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51

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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53

GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6387

54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6487

55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6587

56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6687

57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6787

58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7087

61

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

8172019 The Language of Promise

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65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7787

68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 61: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

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52

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

MEDITATION

EXERCISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6287

53

GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6387

54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6487

55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6587

56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6687

57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6787

58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6887

59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7087

61

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7187

62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7287

63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7387

64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7487

65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7587

66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7687

67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7787

68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7887

69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7987

70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

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72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

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73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

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74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 62: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

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53

GRAHAM COOKE

o meditate means to think deeply about something or

someone It means to explore with mind and heart allowingwhat you think to touch your innermost being

Meditation is creative thought which leads us to the higher

realm of revelation and wisdom It takes us beyond the place of

reason to where joy is seated and faith is activated

Meditation allows us to search inside and outside the box

of our current paradigm What you see and hear there touches

you profoundly It adds a ring around the core truth of Christwhich is God within the certainty of freedom

Fruitful meditation is therefore not a casual seeking for

revelatory insight Initial creative thoughts are merely the X

that marks the spot Tere is treasure in meditation a guar-

antee of wealth in the pursuit of God Many are satisfied with

collecting random truth on the surface of their consciousness

It is good wholesome stuff but it does not satisfy and it cannotchallenge the complexities of life in a warfare context

Deep truth has to be mined over days and weeks It takes

joy and patience to take truth down to its deepest level Beyond

meeting our current needs Beyond the depth of understanding

the power it releases to us against our adversary Down to the

depth where God lives in the highest places of Heaven For all

meditation must ultimately come before the throne of His maj-esty sovereignty and supremacy He fills all things with Himself

Our current situation requires wisdom but even more it

yearns for Presence Meditation allows us to experience both

through the word coming alive in our spirit Meditation leads

us to God and the permission of His heart Learn to be in the

8172019 The Language of Promise

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

8172019 The Language of Promise

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55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6887

59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6987

60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7087

61

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7187

62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7287

63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7387

64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7487

65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7587

66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7687

67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7787

68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8087

71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8187

72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 63: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

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54

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

question peacefully with God Let the Holy Spirit teach you

how to abide urn inwardly and rest wait patiently hellip He willcome When your heart gets restless turn to worship When the

interior atmosphere settles return to listening

Write down initial thoughts but do not pursue them just

yet Do not be distracted by what you hear initially Set it aside

come back to it later

When first entering a lifestyle of meditation take care to

ease into it slowly An hour at first then longer until half a dayand so on

Always have a focus do not try to wait in a vacuum In this

next exercise is a particular statement followed by a series of

questions Tis is both to give you practice in meditation and to

bring you into revelation of God through the focus statement

Use the questions as the Spirit leads Tis exercise is not

prescriptive but merely a guide to enable your contemplationNo doubt you will discover better questions as the Holy Spirit

tutors you Enjoy

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6487

55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6587

56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6687

57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6787

58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6887

59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6987

60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7087

61

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7187

62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

8172019 The Language of Promise

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63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

8172019 The Language of Promise

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64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7487

65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7587

66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

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67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

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68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

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69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7987

70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8087

71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8187

72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 64: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6487

55

GRAHAM COOKE

ldquohellipstand in your problem holding onto the promise looking

for the provisionrdquo

ENGAGE YOUR HEART WITH THE PICTUR E THIS STATEMEN T

PROVOKES

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PROBLEMS CURRENTLY REQUIRE GODrsquoS BLESSING

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT PARTICULAR PROMI SE IS THE HO LY SPIRIT DRAWING TOYOUR ATTENTION ASK FOR SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

STUDY THE PROMISE983080S983081 LOOK FOR KEY WORDS AND PHRASES

WRITE DOWN SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE LORD IS GUARANTEE983085ING TO YOU IN YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6587

56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6687

57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6787

58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6887

59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6987

60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7087

61

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7187

62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7287

63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7387

64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7487

65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7587

66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7687

67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7787

68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7887

69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7987

70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8087

71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8187

72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

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76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 65: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

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56

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

HOW WILL YOU STAND AND POSITION YOURSELF BEFORE THE

FATHER

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT LEVE L OF CONFIDENC E DOES THE FATHER WISH TO

BESTOW UPON YOU

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT FEAR983084 UNBELIEF AND INADEQUACY MUST YOU GIVE UP

IN FAVOUR OF THE PROMISE

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

VIEW THE PROMISE AND THE PROVISION TOGETHER UNTIL

THEY FILL YOUR VISION AND HOPEFAITH BEGIN TO RISE

NOW983084 THROUGH THE LENS O F THE PROMISE 983084 LOOK AT THE

PROBLEM WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR

991251 HEART

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

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57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6787

58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6887

59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6987

60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7087

61

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7187

62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7287

63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7387

64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7487

65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7587

66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7687

67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7787

68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7887

69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7987

70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8087

71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8187

72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 66: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6687

57

GRAHAM COOKE

991251 VIEWPOINT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 MINDSET

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

COMPOSE A PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD983084 A REQUEST FOR HIS

GRACE983084 KINDNESS AND POWER TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE A PSALM OF THANKSGIV ING TO THE LORD FOR WHAT

HE HAS DONE IN AND FOR YOU IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WRITE OUT IN FULL A CONFESSION AND A DECLARATION THATYOU CAN SPEAK INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE POWER

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6787

58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6887

59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6987

60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7087

61

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7187

62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7287

63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7387

64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7487

65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7587

66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7687

67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7787

68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7887

69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7987

70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8087

71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8187

72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 67: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6787

58

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

AS YOU CHALLENGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH YOUR NEW983085

FOUND REVELATION A BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE WILL

ENTER YOUR SPEECH HOW DID YOU FEEL

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

CONTINUE DECLARING983084 BELIEVING AND CHALLENGING DAILY

UNTIL GOD SPEAKS FURTHER OR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS

WHAT HAS CHANGE D IN YOU

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME IN CHRIST

__________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6887

59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6987

60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7087

61

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7187

62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7287

63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7387

64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7487

65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7587

66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7687

67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7787

68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7887

69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7987

70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8087

71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8187

72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 68: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6887

59

GRAHAM COOKE

FINALLY983084 ENTER ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL KEEP

A RECORD OF YOUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WAY NOT ONLY

TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN LATER TIMES BUT ALSO AS A LEGACY

TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6987

60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7087

61

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7187

62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7287

63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7387

64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7487

65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7587

66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7687

67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7787

68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7887

69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7987

70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8087

71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8187

72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 69: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 6987

60

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7087

61

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7187

62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7287

63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7387

64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7487

65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7587

66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7687

67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7787

68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7887

69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7987

70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8087

71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8187

72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 70: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7087

61

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7187

62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7287

63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7387

64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7487

65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7587

66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7687

67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7787

68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7887

69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7987

70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8087

71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8187

72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 71: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7187

62

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

EXTRA

EXERCISE

LECTIODIVINA

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7287

63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7387

64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7487

65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7587

66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7687

67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7787

68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7887

69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7987

70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8087

71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8187

72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 72: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7287

63

GRAHAM COOKE

Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading ) is an ancient way

of reading the Biblemdashallowing a quiet and contemplative wayof coming to Godrsquos Word Lectio Divina opens the pulse of the

Scripture helping readers dig far deeper into the Word than

normally happens in a quick glance-over

In this exercise we will look at a portion of Scripture and

use a modified Lectio Divina technique to engage it Tis tech-

nique can be used on any piece of Scripture I highly recommend

using it for key Bible passages that the Lord has highlighted foryou and for anything you think might be an inheritance word

for your life (see the Crafted Prayer interactive journal for more

on inheritance words)

But now thus says the 983116983119983122983108 who created you 983119 Jacob

And He who formed you 983119 Israel

ldquoFear not for I have redeemed you

I have called you by your nameYou are Mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

And through the rivers they shall not overflow you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

For I am the Lord your God

Te Holy One of Israel your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom

Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Since you were precious in My sight

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7387

64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7487

65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7587

66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7687

67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7787

68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7887

69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7987

70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8087

71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8187

72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 73: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7387

64

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

You have been honored

And I have loved youTerefore I will give men for you

And people for your life

Fear not for I am with you

I will bring your descendants from the east

And gather you from the west

I will say to the north lsquoGive them uprsquo

And to the south lsquoDo not keep them backrsquo Bring My sons from afar

And My daughters from the ends of the earthmdash

Everyone who is called by My name

Whom I have created for My glory

I have formed him yes I have made himrdquo

(Isaiah 983092983091983089-983095)

FIND A PLACE OF STILLNESS BEFORE GOD EMBRACE HIS

PEACE CALM YOUR BODY983084 BREATHE SLOWLYhellipCLEAR YOUR

MIND OF THE DISTRACTIONS OF LIFE ASK GOD TO REVEAL

HIS REST TO YOU WHISPER THE WORD983084 ldquoSTILLNESSrdquo THIS CAN

TAKE SOME TIME983084 BUT ONCE YOUrsquoRE IN THAT PLACE OF REST983084

ENJOY IT WORSHIP GOD OUT OF IT

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 SLOWLY

991251 ALLOW ITS WORDS TO BECOME FAMILIAR TO YOU983084AND SINK INTO YOUR SPIRIT PICTURE THE SCENE991252

BECOME PART OF IT LISTEN FOR PIECES THAT

CATCH YOUR ATTENTION

991251 FOLLOWING THE READING 983084 MEDITATE UPON WHAT

YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT STANDS OUT WRITE IT

DOWN

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7487

65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7587

66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7687

67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7787

68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7887

69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7987

70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8087

71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8187

72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 74: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7487

65

GRAHAM COOKE

_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

991251 IF A WORD OR PHRASE FROM THE PASSAGE SEEMS

HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU983084 WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWICE983084 AGAIN

991251 LIKE WAVES CRASHING ONTO A SHORE983084 LET THE

WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURE CRASH ONTO YOUR

SPIRIT WHAT ARE YOU DISCERNING WHAT ARE

YOU HEARING WHAT ARE YOU FEELING WRITE IT

DOWN

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS PASSAGE WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 DOES THIS PASSAGE REKINDLE ANY MEMORIES OR

EXPERIENCES WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7587

66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7687

67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7787

68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7887

69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7987

70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8087

71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8187

72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 75: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7587

66

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

991251 WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU WRITE IT

DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

READ THE PASSAGE TWO FINAL TIMES

991251 MEDITATE ON IT

991251 IS THERE SOMETHING GOD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH

THIS PASSAGE IS THERE SOMETHING HE IS CALLING

YOU TO WRITE IT DOWN

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

991251 PRAY SILENT LY TELL GOD WHAT THIS SCRIPT URE IS

LEADING YOU TO THINK ABOUT ASK HIM FOR HIS

THOUGHTS WRITE DOWN YOUR CONVERSATION991252AS

IF YOU AND GOD ARE SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP983084

TWO OLD AND DEAR FRIENDS983084 SHARING

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH YOUCOME BACK TO THE PASSAGE A FEW MORE TIMES OVER THE

COMING WEEKS

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7687

67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7787

68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7887

69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7987

70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8087

71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8187

72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 76: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7687

67

GRAHAM COOKE

MY BELOVED ONE

My beloved one

Heaven is not bankrupt and I am not capricious in my giv-

ing I am wholehearted and unchanging in My love for you

In all of My dealings with you I do seek your growth an

increase in depth and maturity I stretch out circumstancesbecause I am stretching (increasing) your faith I am seeking

to show you more of how I think and develop you to walk in

My paths and know My ways

Always look to Me I am the Father who never changes You

are My first fruits to Myself Everything I do with and for

you is by the truth and the exercise of My will

Live the same as I do Love the truth and see the will as the

primary vehicle for receptivity Do not allow your emotions

to run the show because they will agitate against faith Your

will cooperates with faith and waits patiently for the prom-

ise to be fulfilled

You were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a

blessing Te blessing depends upon your positioning before Me In all things I am teaching you how to be God conscious

in all your ways Developing your will in submission to Mine

increases your stability enlarges your power and enhances

your faith

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7787

68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7887

69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7987

70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8087

71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8187

72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 77: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7787

68

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Tere is a difference between being slow and being patient

Your Father is not slow but patiently waits for the right time

and the right growth

As you learn to receive My promises know that I am want-

ing you to learn much more than how to obtain things I am

teaching you about position using the will learning patience

and being stretched

It is through faith and patience that you will inherit the

promises I am wholehearted to you within the process that

I have designated for you in your current circumstances

Te process is the path Follow it and find Me I am not far

from you Walk in the manner I am teaching you All things

always work in your favor Favor can be immediate or even-

tual according to the time frame that I have set for you in

this current phase

Relax Rest in Me I know what is best Learn the process

of how I want to give to you in this current season Ten

everything will come to you and all things will fall to you

as I have decreed

Your Loving Father

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7887

69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7987

70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8087

71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8187

72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 78: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7887

69

GRAHAM COOKE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7987

70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8087

71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8187

72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 79: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 7987

70

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8087

71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8187

72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 80: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8087

71

GRAHAM COOKE

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8187

72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 81: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8187

72

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

CRAFTEDPRAYER

ASSIGNMENT

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 82: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8287

73

GRAHAM COOKE

Use Psalm 983090983093983089-983093 as a foundation for meditation

Write your own version of a crafted prayer that fits yourcurrent situation and what you are learning about the Lan-

guage of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 83: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8387

74

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

NOTES

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 84: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8487

75

GRAHAM COOKE

ABOUT THE AUTHORGraham and Teresa Cooke reside in Santa Barbara Califor-

nia Working together with their closest friends they have formed

a Kingdom community called Radiance Radiance is a commu-

nity of creatives and entrepreneurs with a citywide focus on Arts

and Business While individual members of the community are

involved in a wide range of Kingdom activities (ie caring for thepoor teachingtraining pastoral ministry) the community as a

whole is focused on impacting the social pillars of Arts and Busi-

ness in Santa Barbara Tey are committed to making a place for

Kingdom-minded dreamers to explore and realize the potential

of their imaginationmdashand to raising the ldquowater levelrdquo of King-

dom Culture in this city

He is married to Teresa who has a passion for worship anddance She loves to be involved in intercession warfare and set-

ting people free She cares about injustice abuse and has com-

passion for people who are sick suffering and disenfranchised

Graham and Teresa have a growing family spanning two

generations and several countries All their children are involved

in business the arts and entertainment Tere are numerous

grandchildren who keep them busy laughing and enjoying lifeGraham is a popular conference speaker and is well known

for his training programs on the prophetic spiritual warfare inti-

macy and devotional life leadership spirituality and the church

in transition He functions as a consultant and freethinker to

businesses churches and organizations enabling them to develop

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 85: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8587

76

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

strategically He has a passion to establish the Kingdom and build

prototype churches that can fully reach a post-modern society A strong part of Grahamrsquos ministry is in producing finances

and resources for the poor and disenfranchised in developing

countries He supports many projects specifically for widows

orphans and people in the penal system He hates the abuse of

women and works actively against human trafficking and the

sex slave trade including women caught up in prostitution and

pornographyGraham is an ambassador for communities of faith in the

Body of Christ on behalf of Not For Sale He talks about the work

of Not For Sale and empowers individuals families businesses

ministries and churches to get involved in sponsoring projects

Not For Sale have specific assignments that involve rescue res-

toration and providing education skills-based training and small

business development to enable people to become fully rehabili-tated into a normal productive life

If you would like to invite Graham to minister at an

event please complete our online Ministry Invitation Form at

BrilliantPersepctivescom

If you want to give to Not For Sale and partner with them

directly itrsquos simple Go to their website NotForSaleCampaignorg

Look at the range of what they are doing and at the very leastgive a one time gift or give a monthly donation for six months

or one year Better still involve your family friends business or

church in sponsoring a specific project

Your contribution makes a world of difference to the people

rescued by your involvement

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 86: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8687

77

GRAHAM COOKE

FAQS

Q - WHO IS GRAHAM COOKE AND HOW CAN I FIND MORE

INFORMATION ON HIM

A 983085 GRAHAM IS A SPEAKER983084 AUTHOR AND MENTOR WHO LIVES IN

SANTA BARBARA983084 CALIFORNIA HE IS PART OF A CHRISTIAN COMMU983085

NITY CALLED RADIANCE THAT HAS A PASSION FOR THE BUSINESS

AND THE ARTS

YOU CAN CONTACT HIM ON WWWBRILLIANTPERSPECTIVESCOM

Q - HOW CAN I BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH GRAHAM

A 983085 GRAHAM HAS A COMPANY OF TRAINED PROPHETIC INTERCES983085

SORS CALLED THE WARRIOR CLASS983084 WHICH IS OVERSEEN BY ALLI983085

SON BOWN983084 WHO IS THE DIRECTOR TO CONTACT ALLISON PLEASE

GO TO THE TWC WEBSITE 983085 WWWTWCLASSORG

Q ndash HAS GRAHAM WRITTEN ANY OTHER BOOKS

A 991251 FOR A FULL AND UP TO DATE LIST OF ALL GRAHAMrsquoS BOOKS983084

CDrsquoS AND RESOURCES PLEASE G O TO WWWBRILLIANTBOOK983085

HOUSECOM

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE

Page 87: The Language of Promise

8172019 The Language of Promise

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullthe-language-of-promise 8787

THE LANGUAGE OF PROMISE